Wayne Farms to eliminate 500 poultry processing jobs
by February 4, 2016 2:15 pm 166 views
Tyson Foods competitor Wayne Farms has announced it will close the deboning lines at its Laurel, Miss., plant resulting in the loss of 500 jobs by mid-year because of a change in customer preferences.
The Oakwood, Ga.-based company reportedly said one customer has contracted for the entire plant’s output, but wants only whole birds. That contract runs through 2018. The plant will retain about 200 workers.
The contract won’t affect Wayne Farms’ 10 other plants in Arkansas, North Carolina, Georgia and Alabama.
The company’s Dothan, Ala., plant announced last year it was expanding and would add 500 jobs in that area.
The company said some of the laid-off employees in Mississippi may be able to find jobs at other Wayne Farms facilities.