Springdale, Arkansas The continued growth of case-ready beef and pork sales
in the Southern U.S. has prompted Tyson Foods, Inc. (NYSE: TSN) to make some
adjustments in operations, company officials reported today. The changes are
expected to enable the company to make more effective use of its existing
case-ready production capacity.
Tyson plans to shift some production from its Council Bluffs, Iowa, case-ready
plant to its facilities in Goodlettsville, Tennessee, and Sherman, Texas. The
two plants are closer to the companys growing customer base.
Our overall case-ready business is operating successfully and we must continue
to control costs and improve efficiencies, said Gary Sheneman, senior vice
president of case-ready beef and pork for Tyson. We believe shifting some
production from Council Bluffs to our other plants is the right thing to do for
our overall business, which continues to grow and diversify its customer base.
The unfortunate downside is the impact on some of our employees.
A portion of second shift case-ready production at the Council Bluffs plant will
be suspended in mid-March and subsequently handled by the companys two other
case-ready facilities, which have available capacity. The suspension will
displace approximately 480 of the 1,300 people employed at the Council Bluffs
plant. The workers will be encouraged to apply for openings within the company
and also will be invited to a job fair Tyson officials plan to host. In
addition, Tyson intends to work with state officials to ensure the employees are
informed about unemployment benefits and any potential re-training
opportunities.
We believe the Council Bluffs plant will remain an important part of our
case-ready beef and pork business and continue to benefit the local economy,
Sheneman said. In fact, if enough additional case-ready business develops in
the Midwest, well consider reinstating the production were suspending at
Council Bluffs.
Tysons case-ready facilities use beef and pork from Tyson Fresh Meats
operations to produce packages of steaks, roasts, chops, ground beef and other
items that are ready for retail grocers to place directly into the meat case.
Tyson Fresh Meats, formerly IBP, began a small scale case-ready operation at
Council Bluffs in early 1999. Production at Council Bluffs subsequently grew,
and in 2001 the company opened a case-ready plant in Goodlettsville. The Sherman
plant began operations in 2006.
Tyson Foods, Inc. (NYSE:TSN – News), 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 90 countries. The company has
approximately 117,000 Team Members employed at more than 400 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.
A Tyson Foods Inc. sign marks the entrance to the companys headquarters in
Springdale, Ark. Ap file
Photo Caption: A Tyson Foods Inc. sign marks the entrance to the companys
headquarters in Springdale, Ark.
Photo Credit: Associated Press
Source:
Tyson Foods
