SACRAMENTO, CALIF. — Blue Diamond Growers, an almond cooperative, is streamlining its operations by shuttering its Sacramento plant. The cooperative plans to transfer most of its operations to its existing facilities in Turlock, Calif., and Salida, Calif. The cooperative’s corporate office will remain in Sacramento.

Kai Bockmann, president and chief executive officer of Blue Diamond Growers, said the reason for the closure is due to running the company’s Sacramento operations from a historical building — which has become costly and inefficient.

The move will begin later this year when about 10% of plant employees will exit, the company said. The move will then take place in phases during the next 18 to 24 months.

The company said an estimated 600 team members will be impacted by the plant closing.