Smithfield Foods, a US pork processor owned by China’s WH Group, is closing a ham-boning facility in Altoona, Iowa, putting over 300 jobs at risk. Production from Altoona will be consolidated into company sites in Monmouth, Illinois; Sioux Falls, South Dakota; and Crete, Nebraska to enhance manufacturing efficiency. Discussions will be held regarding severance or relocation for the 314 affected employees.
Doug Sutton, Smithfield’s manufacturing head, stated, “We appreciate the good work our Altoona employees have done… We have been successful in retaining many of our people during previous consolidations…” The company plans to provide support to employees through this transition.
In light of this closure, Smithfield mentioned that impacted employees will be provided with information about severance, financial incentives, and potential employment opportunities within the company. Last year, Smithfield closed its Charlotte, North Carolina plant and announced plans to shut down the Vernon, California site in the coming years.
Concerning the Altoona closure, a specific timeline was not disclosed. Smithfield employs approximately 4,000 individuals across various farms and facilities in Iowa. Amid these changes, Smithfield is committed to navigating the evolving landscape of the food and beverage industry, ensuring operational efficiency and sustainability.
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