A planned shutdown of the Golden State Foods facility in Suffolk, fortunately, did not go as planned.

In November 2008, Golden State Foods announced it would consolidate its Southeast facilities, shuttering the distribution centers in Suffolk and Greensboro, N.C., and transferring their business to centers in Lexington, S.C. and Garner, N.C. The Suffolk facility, located in Wilroy Industrial Park, was set to close by the end of 2009.

However, the company was able to find another use for the Suffolk facility through its subsidiary distribution company, Quality Custom Distribution Services. The move enabled the location to retain about 90 percent of its employees and possibly hire again in the future.

“We are thrilled that we have been able to continue operations here in Suffolk with so many of our employees intact,” said Darlene Wilson, facility manager at the Suffolk distribution center. “This facility was definitely at the right place at the right time, and we are excited to remain part of the Suffolk business community as well as continuing to partner with our local charitable colleagues to help children and families in need.”

The consolidation was part of a strategy to reduce cost and increase efficiency for customers, Wilson said. Founded in 1947, the company is a foodservice industry supplier, and maintains McDonald’s as one of its largest customers.