Tyson Foods closing Van Buren plant, an estimated 600 jobs to be lost

Tyson Foods is closing poultry processing operations in Van Buren and in Glen Allen, Va., resulting in a loss of around 1,500 jobs. The Van Buren plant reportedly employs more than 600 people. Tyson Foods has yet to comment on the closings.

A social media post about the Van Buren plant closing including a letter from William Sawyer, a Tyson Foods vice president and general manager, saying the plant will close on or before May 12. The plant is located at 802 S. 28th St., in the city’s industrial area.

Union officials in Virginia disclosed that the Tyson Foods plant there, which employs 692, also will close May 12, according to the Richmond Times-Dispatch.

Tyson Foods provided the following statement late Monday.

“After careful consideration, we’ve made the difficult decision to close our Van Buren, Arkansas plant effective May 12, 2023, and shift demand to other Tyson Foods facilities. While the decision was not easy, it reflects our broader strategy to strengthen our poultry business by optimizing operations and utilizing the full available capacity at each plant.

“As always, our team members remain our top priority. We are working directly with impacted team members to help ensure they have the option to apply for open positions and relocation assistance where applicable to other Tyson Foods facilities. We are also closely coordinating with state and local agencies and officials to provide resources and assistance for those who choose to remain in Van Buren.”

Talk Business & Politics plans to update this story on Tuesday.