Tyson to Close two Nebraska Beef Processing Plant

Meat producer Tyson will permanently close its beef processing plant in Norfolk, Nebraska and beef slaughter plant in West Point. Production will be shifted primarily to the company’s beef complex in Dakota City, Nebraska, which is completing a new beef processing addition. The company said that the move came as part of its strategy to operate more efficiently and maintain best cost management practices.

Tyson said that the plant closings affect approximately 365 Team Members at West Point and 1,300 at Norfolk. Tyson said that affected Team Members will be encouraged to consider transferring to other Tyson plants, such as company beef facilities at Dakota City and Lexington, Nebraska, as well as Emporia, Kansas.

The new 84,500 square foot structure at Dakota City is scheduled to begin production in March and will be capable of absorbing the work currently performed in Norfolk. The West Point closing will enable Tyson to make more efficient use of beef slaughter operations at Dakota City and other Tyson beef plants in the region. At current production levels, the plant closings will increase the company’s beef production capacity utilization by approximately six percent.

“Given the expected efficiencies of the new processing floor at Dakota City and the anticipated improvements in capacity utilization, we believe this is the right strategic decision,” said Noel White, group vice president of Tyson Fresh Meats. “The consolidation will enhance the performance of our beef business, both now during this time of challenging market conditions and later when these conditions improve.”