Cargill to relocate meat slicing and packaging from Springfield, Mo., to Nebraska and Texas

Before noon today, Cargill managers informed the 118 employees at its meat slicing and packaging facility here that operations will be moving to the company’s facilities at Nebraska City, Neb., and Waco, Texas. The Springfield facility will close on March 11, 2015. The decision to close its Springfield facility followed a thorough assessment of Cargill’s turkey and cooked meats future business needs.

Upon the closure of the facility, each affected employee will be offered a severance package, as well as opportunities and support to relocate to Cargill positions at other company facilities in the region. Cargill also will conduct job fairs.

“These decisions are never easy, especially when they involve good people who do great work for our business,” said Ruth Kimmelshue, president of Wichita, Kansas-based Cargill Turkey & Cooked Meats. “We value the contributions of our colleagues and will do as much as possible to help those who are impacted find other employment, including at other Cargill locations.”

Cargill says the decision to close its Springfield facility will help it better serve customers given the meat products sliced and packaged there involve meat produced at other locations, including Nebraska City and Waco. “Given the scale of our facilities where this work is going, the proximity to raw materials, and technology driven efficiencies that can be gained, in addition to the shipping logistics benefits for our customers, we believe this move better positions us for future growth in a highly competitive environment,” stated Kimmelshue. “Nevertheless, it always hurts when people’s jobs are impacted, which is why we will offer to provide them with an appropriate level of transition support.”

Cargill is one of the largest turkey producers and processors in the in United States, with major operations in Virginia, Missouri, Arkansas, Texas, Nebraska and Minnesota. It acquired the Springfield facility in 2008, together with other assets that were part of Willow Brook Foods.

#     #     #

Cargill provides food, agriculture, financial and industrial products and services to the world. Together with farmers, customers, governments and communities, we help people thrive by applying our insights and 150 years of experience. We have 143,000 employees in 67 countries who are committed to feeding the world in a responsible way, reducing environmental impact and improving the communities where we live and work. For more information, visit Cargill.com and our News Center.