Tyson Beef to close two plants

17/02/2006

As part of its strategy to operate more efficiently and maintain best cost management practices, Tyson Foods, Inc. has announced that it is consolidating its beef operations in northeast Nebraska.

Effective this week, Tyson will permanently close its beef processing plant in Norfolk and beef slaughter plant in West Point. Production will be shifted primarily to the company's beef complex in Dakota City, Nebraska, which is completing a new beef processing addition.

The new 84,500 square foot structure at Dakota City is scheduled to begin production in March and will be capable of absorbing the work currently performed in Norfolk. The West Point closing will enable Tyson to make more efficient use of beef slaughter operations at Dakota City and other Tyson beef plants in the region. 

At current production levels, the plant closings will increase the company's beef production capacity utilisation by approximately 6%.The plant closings affect some 365 employees at West Point and 1,300 at Norfolk.