Tyson Foods (TSN, Financial), a major U.S. meat processing company, announced it will permanently shut down its beef and pork plant in Emporia, Kansas, affecting over 800 employees. This closure is part of a series of shutdowns by Tyson, which has closed six chicken plants and a pork plant in Iowa since early 2023, leading to thousands of job cuts. The company faces financial challenges due to a significant reduction in U.S. cattle farm sizes, increasing beef processing costs. While Tyson's chicken business has recovered from previous losses due to misjudged consumer demand, the company continues to streamline operations to improve efficiency.
Tyson plans to close the Emporia plant around February 14, affecting 804 employees, with an additional five lab workers losing their jobs by January 31. The company is encouraging affected employees to apply for other positions within Tyson and is collaborating with state and local officials to provide support and resources.
