A Caldwell plant that makes frozen bread dough and cinnamon rolls will stop production by April 15 and lay off 49 workers.

Rhodes Bake-N-Serv, whose plant at 14702 Karcher Road has been in operation since 1962, will shift all production to its other plant in Columbus, Wis., said Kenny Farnsworth, president of the family-owned company based in Salt Lake City.

The company decided to move production to Wisconsin because it is more centrally located for the company, whose products are shipped across the United States, Farnsworth said. Closing the Caldwell plan will also increase efficiency by leaving the company with one plant to run instead of two, he said.

Sales had been growing but flattened in 2012, Farnsworth said.

Rhodes employs about 200 people.

Employees at the Caldwell plant were told of the shutdown Thursday. They will receive severance packages and help in finding new jobs, Farnsworth said.

Two employees will stay on so that the plant can serve as a distribution center for then Northwest.

Rhodes began in 1958. In 1976, Farnsworth’s father, Ken Farnsworth Jr. who grew up in the Treasure Valley and attended Boise Junior College, bought part of the company. In 1990, he bought the rest of it.

Bill Roberts: 377-6408