Sweet’N Low wrapping up production in Brooklyn after 60 years
by Deepti Hajela, The Associated Press
Global competition and high costs of labour and real estate make manufacturing in New York City difficult
NEW YORK—For almost 60 years, millions upon millions of tiny pink packets of Sweet’N Low have flowed from Cumberland Packing in Brooklyn.
But the family-owned company told workers that manufacturing and packing work would stop in Brooklyn over the course of the year and shift entirely to other parts of the country. That would leave only the company’s headquarters in the borough.
It’s the latest chapter in a familiar tale. New York City hasn’t been a manufacturing contender in decades, with global competition and high costs of labour and real estate taking their toll.
Employees said news of the shutdown was a shock. The company said it would try to help workers find new jobs.
