Baskin-Robbins to Abandon Vernon Plant

Baskin-Robbins USA Co. will close or sell one of its primary ice cream manufacturing plants in Vernon as part of its plan to shift some production to outside vendors.The plant’s 110 employees received notice last week of the Glendale company’s intention to close the plant by Sept. 1 and transfer production to its other two plants in Kentucky and Texas. However, that letter mentioned there were several parties interested in purchasing the operation that might be able to provide jobs for at least some of its workers. A newly formed company called Cornerstone Dairy, led by Kevin Copeland, the former chief executive of Copeland Beverage Group in South Los Angeles, has signed a letter of intent to acquire the plant’s assets for $1.3 million.