Latest: Kraft Heinz looking for buyer of Oscar Mayer plant

MADISON — Kraft Heinz is searching for a buyer of the Oscar Mayer plant in Madison that's slated to be closed by 2017.

The Wisconsin State Journal reports Friday that Kraft Heinz spokesman Michael Mullen says the company is working with Wisconsin officials to find a buyer to keep the site open.

Mullen says the company did not reach out with Wisconsin officials prior to the closure decision because it was based on need to "reduce operational redundancies and eliminate excess capacity" across the country.

Gov. Scott Walker says in a letter to a Democratic lawmaker Friday that both Republicans and Democrats "need to work together to help the workers and families being hurt by this corporate decision."

Madison Mayor Paul Soglin says he hopes Kraft Heinz reconsiders closing.