Alabama Poultry Deboning Operation to Close

US - Wayne Farms has announced the closure of the de-boning line at Dothan, which will affect around 560 employees at the plant.
calendar icon 3 April 2014
clock icon 3 minute read

Wayne Farms LLC has announced that it has entered into a long-term agreement to supply 100 per cent of its poultry slaughtered at the Dothan plant with AlaTrade, one of its largest customers located in Phenix City, Alabama, according to WTVY. Because of the nature of the arrangement, Wayne Farms will no longer have need for the deboning lines in Dothan, and will discontinue this process.

The cessation of deboning processing will not involve the entire facility, and does not the company's hatchery or live operations as it will continue to raise and process approximately the same volume of birds as it does today. Approximately 560 employees will be impacted by this lay-off, which will be completed by 8 June.

Clint Rivers, Vice President and General Manager of Wayne Farms Fresh Production Business Unit, said: "In the challenging business environment we’re in today, this agreement with AlaTrade gives our Dothan facility the ongoing production stability that allows us to be competitive in the market. But this also forces us to make the difficult decision to eliminate deboning lines that we no longer need.

"We’ve made a large investment in the facility here and in order to maximise that investment for the long term, we look for long-term agreements with business partners.

“Overall it was a business decision for the long haul. Our facility will continue to run, our local farmers and suppliers won't be impacted, and we can help our employees find opportunities in this field or other fields,” he told WTVY.

Where possible, Wayne Farms will work to offer employment opportunities at other Wayne Farms’ locations. Wayne Farms will also collaborate with local employment service agencies to coordinate job placement assistance to those affected employees.

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