Twinkie era ends

For consumers, it means the end of Twinkies, Ho Ho’s and Ding Dongs.

Jobs for 18,000 employees, including more than 500 people who worked at Hostess Brands Inc. plants in Indianapolis and Columbus, Ind., ended Friday.

Hostess announced it will go out of business and file a motion with the U.S. Bankruptcy Court seeking permission to cease operations and sell its assets, according to a press release. Bakery operations have been suspended at all plants across the country.

The company plans to sell its popular brands, including Hostess, Drakes and Dolly Madison. Bread brands to be sold include Wonder, Nature's Pride, Merita, Home Pride, Butternut and Beefsteak.

Hostess’ Board of Directors authorized the decision after one of the company’s largest unions, the Bakery, Confectionery, Tobacco workers and Grain Millers International Union, initiated a nationwide strike in opposition of a contract offer that slashed wages and benefits in September.

The change also gave Hostess Brands' 12 unions a 25 percent ownership stake in the company, representation on its Board of Directors and $100 million in reorganized Hostess Brands’ debt.

Hostess said the offer was designed to lower costs so the company could attract new financing and emerge from Chapter 11. Hostess received court authority on Oct 3, imposing changes to the BCTGM’s collective bargaining agreements, according to the release.

“We do not have the financial resources to weather an extended nationwide strike,” Hostess Chief Executive Officer Gregory Rayburn said in the release. “Hostess Brands will move promptly to lay off most of its 18,500-member workforce and focus on selling its assets to the highest bidders.”

Hostess permanently closed three plants because of the work stoppage Nov. 12. On Nov 14., the company announced it would be forced to liquidate if a sufficient number of employees did not return to work to restore normal operations by 5 p.m. Nov. 15.

Strikes did not cease before this deadline.

Delivery of Hostess products will continue and retail stores will remain open for several days in order to sell already-baked products, according to the release.

The brand will close 33 bakeries, 565 distribution centers, approximately 5,500 delivery routes and 570 bakery outlet stores across the nation.

- Mark Keierleber