Tyson to Close Two Meat Plants
SPRINGDALE, Ark. - Tyson Foods Inc. announced on Thursday that it would close two older plants to improve its manufacturing efficiency, Reuters reports. As a result, about 720 jobs will be cut.
The plants will be closed in February 2004. One plant, in Manchester, N.H., employs about 550 and makes sandwich meat for foodservice customers. The other, located in Augusta, Maine, employs about 170 workers and makes hot dogs, boneless hams and turkey products.
An analysis of the Manchester plant suggested that it would be too expensive to modernize, the Springdale, Arkansas-based meat processor said. Production will be shifted to Iowa, Texas, Tennessee and Illinois.
The bulk of production at the Augusta plant will be moved to plants in New York and Missouri.
Tyson acquired both plants with its acquisition of IBP Inc. in 2001.
The company currently operates 300 plants and offices in 27 states and 22 countries.
The plants will be closed in February 2004. One plant, in Manchester, N.H., employs about 550 and makes sandwich meat for foodservice customers. The other, located in Augusta, Maine, employs about 170 workers and makes hot dogs, boneless hams and turkey products.
An analysis of the Manchester plant suggested that it would be too expensive to modernize, the Springdale, Arkansas-based meat processor said. Production will be shifted to Iowa, Texas, Tennessee and Illinois.
The bulk of production at the Augusta plant will be moved to plants in New York and Missouri.
Tyson acquired both plants with its acquisition of IBP Inc. in 2001.
The company currently operates 300 plants and offices in 27 states and 22 countries.
