SPRINGDALE, ARK. — Tyson Foods Inc. confirmed on Aug. 12 that it plans to cut jobs at its Wilkesboro, NC, poultry processing plant.
“Due to increasing demand, we are shifting production in our Wilkesboro, NC, facility to support our Tyson fully cooked products,” a Tyson Foods spokesperson said. “As a result of these process changes, fewer positions will be required in the facility. Our priority is to help team members impacted by this change, and we are working with them to offer other opportunities at Tyson Foods.”
The move by Tyson could affect nearly 500 employees, according to the Wilkes Journal-Patriot. Approximately 2,500 people work at the Wilkesboro plant.
When asked to confirm how many jobs would be affected, Tyson Foods did not respond.
In the last year, Tyson’s poultry business restructured operations at its Wilkesboro location and other sites nationwide. Tyson laid off about 250 workers at the Wilkesboro location in October 2023.
In August 2023, Tyson announced plans to close four poultry plants — its North Little Rock, Ark.; Corydon, Ind.; and Dexter and Noel, Mo., facilities.
The company cited the decision as its commitment to bold action and operational excellence as it strives to lower costs and improve capacity utilization.
Other Tyson plant closings announced in 2023 included the Van Buren, Ark., and Glen Allen, Va., facilities, which together affected around 1,700 jobs.
During November 2023, Tyson Foods also opened its new poultry plant in Danville, Va. The company invested $300 million in the project and expects to hire nearly 400 employees.
Last month Tyson also sold its Vienna, Ga., poultry facility to House of Raeford Farms.