Pilgrim's Pride Plan Plant Closure

According to the Arkansas Morning News, employees there were informed of the possibility this week, less than a month after the company announced it was closing one processing complex and six of its 13 distribution centers in the U.S., and that it would consider other closures, consolidations or mix changes.

"We don't want to shut the complex down, but unless there's a significant, immediate change to improve our financial conditions and operating deficiencies there, that's going to be our only option," said Ray Atkinson, director of corporate communications for Pilgrim's Pride.

Pilgrim's Pride, the nation's largest poultry processor, took over the facility in 2003 when the company acquired ConAgra Foods Inc.'s chicken division. Pilgrim's Pride is the world's largest poultry processor.

"We've invested millions in that facility, and there has been no return," Atkinson said. "That complex has consistently lost money, plant costs are not competitive, it hasn't been able to attract new customers, and quality and productivity are well below other similar facilities," he said.

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