Tyson Foods may shut poultry plant in Wales

US-based meat producer Tyson Foods is reportedly planning to sell or cease operations at its chicken plant in Wrexham, Wales, UK.

Tyson Foods is planning to shut down operations this month.

The closure is expected to impact the jobs of 71 employees working at the facility, according to British and Irish trade union Unite.

Operating since 1962, the facility is one of the major employers in the region.

It was acquired by Tyson Foods last year in a deal with Brazilian food company BRF.

Tyson Foods international communications spokesman Hli Yang said: “Putting this proposal forward was a very difficult decision. It was based on a combination of factors, including our ability to generate profitable growth and our need to adapt to shifting customer needs.

“We are currently consulting with our team members in Wrexham about the proposal to discontinue operations on 30 September 2020.”

However, the meat producer did not reveal any details about how it will fulfil the drop in production if the facility is shut in September.

Earlier this year, Tyson Foods announced that it is cutting 500 jobs within the company as part of its plans to restructure its business.

It intends to reduce overhead costs and consolidate some enterprise functions.

In a stock exchange filing alongside the announcement of the financial results of the first quarter, the company said that it would eliminate positions across several areas and job levels.

In another development, Tyson Foods is reportedly planning to open medical clinics at several of its US plants to improve the health of its workers and better protect them from the coronavirus.