SPRINGDALE, Ark., April 18, 2008 (PRIME NEWSWIRE) -- As part of an ongoing effort to improve production efficiency, Tyson Foods, Inc. (NYSE:TSN) is consolidating some of its prepared foods business, company officials reported today.
Production will be discontinued at the Tyson plant in York, Nebraska, and subsequently shifted to one of the company's other meat processing operations. The York closing will result in the elimination of 110 jobs.
Affected Team Members will continue to receive pay and benefits through June 17 and production at the plant will end on or before June 17. The workers will be given the opportunity to transfer to other Tyson locations and, in some cases, will be offered cash incentives.
"Given the dynamics of the meat business, we must continually pursue ways to operate more efficiently," said Roy Slaughter, vice president of Poultry and Prepared Foods Operations for Tyson. "After careful consideration, we have decided it will be more efficient for another, larger operation to absorb the work done at York."
The York plant produces uncooked meats such as flat iron steak and the Shaved Steak(r) brand, as well as other sliced beef and pork items for various retail and foodservice customers. Tyson plans to move some of the equipment from York to the company's recently restructured meat processing operation in Emporia, Kansas, which employs more than 700 people. Company officials currently believe the existing workforce at Emporia is capable of handling York's production with very little additional staffing.
"We want to thank our York Team Members for their hard work over the years and also thank the York community for its support of our operation," Slaughter said.
The York facility was originally built as a pork slaughter plant in 1952. It has since been remodeled and operated by numerous companies over the years including IBP, inc., which was purchased by Tyson Foods in 2001.
Tyson Foods, Inc. (NYSE:TSN), founded in 1935 with headquarters in Springdale, Arkansas, is the world's largest processor and marketer of chicken, beef, and pork, the second-largest food production company in the Fortune 500 and a member of the S&P 500. The company produces a wide variety of protein-based and prepared food products and is the recognized market leader in the retail and foodservice markets it serves. Tyson provides products and service to customers throughout the United States and more than 80 countries. The company has approximately 104,000 Team Members employed at more than 300 facilities and offices in the United States and around the world. Through its Core Values, Code of Conduct and Team Member Bill of Rights, Tyson strives to operate with integrity and trust and is committed to creating value for its shareholders, customers and Team Members. The company also strives to be faith-friendly, provide a safe work environment and serve as stewards of the animals, land and environment entrusted to it.
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