Ice cream and frozen dessert products maker Wells Enterprises Inc. plans to lay off several hundred workers at its Dunkirk, NY production facility by the end of this year, according to a Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification (WARN) sent to New York State officials this week.

Of the 643 staff members currently employed at the plant, 319 will be separated starting on 12/31/2022. The company’s WARN notice noted that the reason for the layoffs is “economic.”

Wells Enterprises is America’s biggest private, family-owned ice cream and frozen treat manufacturing firm, producing well-known brands like Blue Bunny, Halo Top, Bomb Pop, and Blue Ribbon. In addition to retail offerings, the company also serves the foodservice and vending markets.