Oberweis Dairy Faces Bankruptcy, Announces Layoffs

Oberweis Dairy Inc. has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy and plans to lay off 127 workers at its North Aurora plant, citing business and financial challenges including declining milk consumption and increased demand for plant-based alternatives. The company, known for its ice cream stores and glass-bottled milk, aims to continue operating while seeking a buyer to preserve over 1,000 jobs. The fourth-generation family-owned company faced setbacks including underinvestment in manufacturing equipment and unsuccessful market expansions. The COVID-19 pandemic initially boosted its home delivery service, but expenses and inefficiencies led to financial struggles.