Ga. Hostess plant among those shuttered

COLUMBUS, Ga. (AP) A Hostess plant in Columbus is among 33 company factories that were suspended Friday.

Nearly 400 workers were picking up paychecks when the plant was suddenly ordered to close.

Hostess, which is based in Irving, Texas, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in January, and suspended operations at its factories and 565 distribution centers nationwide.

The company's website blamed the liquidation on a Bakers Union strike. In a statement, Gregory F. Rayburn, Hostess CEO, said the company's assets will be sold to the highest bidder.

The Hostess facility in Columbus is the only plant the company operates in Georgia. About 1,200 people were once employed at the Columbus plant, which opened in 1971.

In addition, six Hostess factory outlet stores across the state will close.