Pilgrim’s Pride will drive further efficiencies and synergies in its US supply chain by closing a poultry processing plant in Minnesota.
Acquired by the company in 1998, the site one mile southwest of Luverne, Minnesota was a former IBP beef production facility that was converted to produce frozen and convenience chicken products.
It was mainly used as a hub for Gold’n Plump, the brand of packaged chicken products produced by Pilgrim’s Pride and reared by farmers in Wisconsin and Minnesota.
Production capabilities at the plant will be transferred to other nearby facilities, which Pilgrim’s Pride said would allow it “to shift production and equipment to more efficient operations”. The move, it said, will allow it to enhance synergies and better serve its key customers, with no net loss expected in overall production capacity.
Jayson Penn, head of Pilgrim’s USA, said: “The Pilgrim’s team explored several options before arriving at the difficult decision to close the Luverne facility. We recognise the impact this has on our Luverne team, their families and the local community, and we will make every effort to assist in future job placement, including relocation opportunities at other company locations for all impacted employees.”
The site in Luverne currently employs around 200 people and is slated for closure by 29 December.
It is one of a number of plants operated by the business throughout the US, with facilities in 14 out of 50 states.
Pilgrim’s Pride operates another chicken processing plant in St Cloud, Minnesota, as well as a further plant in neighbouring Wisconsin.
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