Cargill managers has informed the 118 employees at its meat slicing and packaging facility in Springfield, Missouri, the US that operations will be moving to the company’s facilities at Nebraska City, Nebraska, and Waco, Texas.
The Springfield facility will close on March 11, 2015.
The decision to close its Springfield facility followed a thorough assessment of Cargill’s turkey and cooked meats future business needs.
Upon the closure of the facility, each affected employee will be offered a severance package, as well as opportunities and support to relocate to Cargill positions at other company facilities in the region.
The company will also conduct job fairs.
Cargill says the decision to close its Springfield facility will help it better serve customers given the meat products sliced and packaged there involve meat produced at other locations, including Nebraska City and Waco.
“Given the scale of our facilities where this work is going, the proximity to raw materials, and technology driven efficiencies that can be gained, in addition to the shipping logistics benefits for our customers, we believe this move better positions us for future growth in a highly competitive environment,” said Ruth Kimmelshue, president of Wichita, Kansas-based Cargill Turkey & Cooked Meats.
Cargill is one of the largest turkey producers and processors in the US, with major operations in Virginia, Missouri, Arkansas, Texas, Nebraska and Minnesota.
It acquired the Springfield facility in 2008, together with other assets that were part of Willow Brook Foods.
