Tyson Foods to close three production facilities in US

US-based meat processor Tyson Foods is set to close three production facilities, a move that could result in the loss of around 950 jobs.

The closures come as part of the company’s plans to improve the performance of its prepared foods business.

Tyson plans to shut its Cherokee plant in Iowa on 27 September 2014, while its facilities in Buffalo (New York) and Santa Teresa (New Mexico) are set to cease operations during the first half of calendar 2015.

Around 450 jobs will be affected at Cheroke, 300 at Buffalo and 200 at Santa Teresa, said Tyson.

Various reasons are involved in the closure of the facilities, including changing product needs, the age of the Cherokee facility and the distance of the Buffalo and Santa Teresa plants from their raw material supply base in the Midwest.

Tyson Foods prepared foods, customer and consumer solutions president Donnie King said: "This is a very difficult decision since it affects the lives of our team members and their families.

"However, these plants have been struggling financially. After long and careful consideration, we’ve concluded it no longer makes business sense to keep them open."

Tyson noted that workers affected by the closures will be encouraged to apply for other openings within the company and will be invited to attend job fairs that Tyson Foods intends to host.

The Cherokee facility produces processed meat such as deli meats, hams, Canadian bacon and hot dogs.

The Buffalo facility is involved in producing hot dogs, sausage and hams, while the Santa Teresa plant manufactures cooked products such as dinner meats, diced ham and roast beef.

Tyson Foods, which was established in 1935, is one of the world’s largest processors and marketers of chicken, beef and pork.