Another Tyson Plant Lost; With it 400 Jobs
US - According to Tyson, the largest poultry processor in the world, changing consumer demands and product changes have led the company to close another plant, but that wont appease the 400 who find themselves out of a job.
4 March 2008
2 minute read
Affected workers will continue to be paid and receive benefits for the next 60 days. They will be given the opportunity to apply for job openings in Tyson’s two other Wilkesboro plants, as well as other Tyson locations. The company say they will also offer assistance in seeking other employment opportunities in the region.
* "Unfortunately, the market for this product has changed. We’re taking measures to help our Team Members through the closing process." |
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Donnie Smith, group vice president of Consumer Products for Tyson Foods.
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Tyson claim that an increasing number of shoppers are opting for takeout food from the retail grocery deli. They say 83% of consumers' main meals include ready-to-eat foods and that the new move will meet the needs of this category with new products such as rotisserie pork loin, as well as Tyson® Gourmet Wraps.
Tyson also supports the production of hot, rotisserie chicken in retail delis. However, the increased popularity of this product has also contributed to reduced demand for Tyson’s long-standing line of refrigerated, oven roasted chicken. After a thorough business review, the company has decided to exit production of the oven roasted line, which is produced at one of Tyson’s facilities in Wilkesboro.
“Our oven roasted chicken has been a successful Tyson product for almost 20 years,” said Donnie Smith, group vice president of Consumer Products for Tyson Foods. “Despite exhaustive efforts to continue this success, we’ve made the difficult decision to stop production and devote our resources to other products designed to help us stay ahead of where today’s consumer is going.”
Because of this decision, the Wilkesboro Cooked Products Plant is currently scheduled to suspend operations on or before April 1. This will result in the elimination of just over 400 jobs. No decision has been made about future use of the plant.
“The Team Members who work at the Cooked Products Plant have done a great job producing a wonderful product,” said Smith. “Unfortunately, the market for this product has changed. We’re taking measures to help our Team Members through the closing process.”
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