Necco Closing Stuns Revere/ NECCO EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY LIST
July 25, 2018
News that its new owners abruptly closed the Necco candy manufacturing plant Tuesday both surprised and disappointed Revere Mayor Brian Arrigo.
"We are disappointed that Round Hill could not follow through on the enthusiasm it expressed when it acquired Necco barely two months ago," said Mayor Arrigo. "We received no advance word about the situation from any representative of any of the involved parties and only learned about it after receiving media inquiry. Obviously, we would have preferred, at the very least, some fundamental notification."
Nonetheless, Mayor Arrigo has jumped on the opportunity to potentially connect displaced workers with prospective new employers. "Job termination is never good news, but the regional economy is strong and hopefully able to absorb these people who have a demonstrated work ethic and experience in the food production industry."
Arrigo has been in touch with government and business contacts to open communication between them and prospective employees. "Already, Mayor Arrigo said, "six private companies in food service have expressed interest in interviewing displaced workers. Meanwhile, the Rapid Response team in Governor Charlie Baker's Workforce Development Board is setting up to help displaced workers, and we are coordinating with Speaker of the House Bob DeLeo for their help, and Greater Lynn Senior Services is seeking 50-60 drivers to serve their clients." Mayor Arrigo pointed out that the Necco plant is located within Speaker DeLeo's district.
Meanwhile, employers are lining up to attract displaced workers. Mayor Arrigo said that Revere's Ward Four Councilor Patrick Keefe, a Culinary Director with Legal Sea Foods, was the first to reach him. "Councilor Keefe contacted us first thing this morning to open communication with Legal Sea Food's recruitment director," said Arrigo. "We also have heard from Kelly's Roast Beef, Winfrey's Chocolates in Rowley, Shaw's Super Markets, and Five Way Foods, a producer of vegetable and bone broths that will be starting operation here in Revere later this year, and Easy Pie, a popular and innovative pizza restaurant in Revere and Braintree."
Shaw's is hiring at all locations, with its greatest need at the Melrose location. Mayor Arrigo said that the City's Human Resourced Department is ready to provide help to Revere residents effected by the closing, and that there may be open positions in public employment.
"We are gratified, certainly, that the private sector is in a position to help these workers," said the Mayor. "But that doesn't lessen our exasperation with the way Round Hill went about the process."
The Necco plant is located on American Legion Highway in Revere on property owned by Atlantic Investments/VMD Companies, which purchased the 50-acre site in 2017. Necco's lease for the 830,000 square feet--of which they use only a portion--expires in August but they were expected to continue operations until November 30.
"When Round Hill Investments became Necco's new owners, we were optimistic for Necco's prospects, even though their continued presence in Revere was unlikely," the Mayor said. "Round Hill had a history of resurrecting and revitalizing companies in the food industry, and everyone was hopeful that Necco would join the ranks of Hostess, Pabst Blue Ribbon, and others that came back to prominence under Round Hill. Today's developments contradict that optimism for so many workers, and for those of us in City government."
Applicants interested in employment can contact the following and mention that they are displaced Necco workers:
- Legal Sea Foods, apply online at legalseafoods.com/contact-us/careers.
- Kelly's Roast Beef, contact Dan Doherty through info@kellysroastbeef.com
- Winfrey's Chocolates: contact Mark Winfrey by email mwinfrey@winfreys.com
- Five Way Foods: Visit their website at fivewayfoods.com/pages/contact-us
- Shaw's: Visit their website at shaws.com/employment-positions/
- Greater Lynn Senior Services, contact Nina Mersereau, 781 715 2987
- Easy Pie, apply in person at Revere or Braintree locations.
- Great Eastern Seafood, contact Robby Brandano or Gregory Stevcic, 617-428-9400 x1
- ServePro, Salem/ Peabody/ Marblehead office@servepro10702.com - Revere/ East Boston/ Chelsea mcashman@servepro996.com or (617) 997- 1785
- Bake'n Joy- North Andover, contact tkootz@bakenjoy.com
- Swissport- visit Swissport.com/careers
- Dandrea Foods- contact Karen at (508) 580- 5646 or dandreafoods@gmail.com
- Select Parking- drivers wanted, contact jim@paylessri.com
- NRT Bus Company- Lynn/Malden drivers contact Malcolm Gormley (978) 208-5186
- Coworx Staffing Services- contact (978) 774-9190 or danversrecruiting@coworxstaffing.com
- Channel Fish Co. - East Boston, contact mark.flight@channelfishco.com
- Laronga Bakery - Somerville, contact Gerru Uva at (617) 625- 8600 x103
- VPNE Parking Solutions- visit vpne.com/careers or recruiting@vpne.com
- Nova Biomedical- Waltham/ Billerica contact Loretta Donahue at (978) 439- 3469 or visit in-store
- Ace & Acme- Medfield, contact David at (800) 223-2263
- Bomco Inc. - Gloucester, contact Katy Flaherty at (978) 283-9000 x1233
- Valvoline- Revere, contact tara.nelson@vioc.net/bhanley@vioc.net
- Jacqueline's Gourmet Cookies- Salem, contact Lisa Kazanovicz at (978) 744-8600
- Cambridge Health Alliance- contact mkeefe@challiance.org
SEE HERE FOR FULL LIST OF EMPLOYERS
Displaced Necco employees can also contact Mayor Arrigo's office at Revere City Hall, 781 286 8111.