- DTN Headline News
Tyson to Shut Down Emporia Meat Plant
By Todd Neeley
Tuesday, December 3, 2024 8:59AM CST

LINCOLN, Neb. (DTN) -- More than 800 employees will lose their jobs in Emporia, Kansas, as Tyson Foods has announced the planned closure of its value-added marinated proteins and ground beef plant.

A spokesperson for the city of Emporia told DTN the decision to close Tyson operations in Emporia was made as part of "the company's business strategy to operate more efficiently," according to a letter sent to city officials by Ernesto Sanchez, vice president of beef and pork operations for Tyson.

Tyson announced the anticipated closure in a Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act notice to the state of Kansas. The act requires employers to inform workers in advance of a plant closing or mass layoff.

In a letter to employees, Sanchez said the last day of operations at the plant would be on or about Feb. 14, 2025.

"After careful consideration, we have made the difficult decision to close our beef and pork non-harvest processing facility in Emporia, Kansas, to increase the efficiency of our operations," a spokesperson for Tyson Foods told DTN in a statement.

"We understand the impact of this decision on our team members and the local community. Taking care of our team members is our top priority and we encourage them to apply for other open roles within the company. We are also working closely with state and local officials to provide additional resources to those who are impacted. The state of Kansas is important to Tyson Foods, with employment of more than 5,000 team members across our other Kansas facilities."

Emporia and Lyons County officials said they are working to help employees in light of the announcement.

The city of Emporia, Lyon County, the Regional Development Association, Emporia Main Street, Emporia Chamber of Commerce, Flint Hills Technical College and Emporia State University, said in a joint statement that, "Tyson has been a valuable corporate partner" and the groups said they are doing all they can to help workers.

"While we recognize the challenges this closure presents, Emporia's economy remains stable and resilient," the groups said. "Community leaders will continue to work with key stakeholders at the local, state, and federal level to promote economic growth in Emporia."

"By working closely with business leaders and stakeholders, we aim to attract and retain strong and diversified industry that will provide growth and prosperity for our residents. Emporia is a resilient community, and we are confident in our collective ability to navigate this transition. Our community is united and committed to building an even stronger future."

On Nov. 12, 2024, Tyson Foods reported nearly a 1% increase in sales compared to 2023, including a 1.6% increase in sales in the fourth quarter of 2024 compared to the same quarter in 2023.

Todd Neeley can be reached at todd.neeley@dtn.com

Follow him on social platform X @DTNeeley


blog iconDTN Blogs & Forums
Fundamentally Speaking
Joel Karlin
DTN Contributing Analyst
Wednesday, December 4, 2024 12:48PM CST
Tuesday, November 26, 2024 10:08AM CST
Monday, November 25, 2024 11:36AM CST
Minding Ag's Business
Katie Behlinger
Farm Business Editor
Wednesday, December 4, 2024 8:01AM CST
Thursday, November 14, 2024 12:31PM CST
Thursday, November 14, 2024 12:31PM CST
DTN Ag Weather Forum
Bryce Anderson
DTN Ag Meteorologist and DTN Analyst
Tuesday, December 3, 2024 12:17PM CST
Tuesday, December 3, 2024 8:31AM CST
Wednesday, November 27, 2024 11:44AM CST
DTN Production Blog
Pam Smith
Crops Technology Editor
Friday, November 15, 2024 6:31AM CST
Thursday, October 31, 2024 8:48AM CST
Sunday, October 27, 2024 6:01AM CST
South America Calling
Editorial Staff
Thursday, December 5, 2024 4:02PM CST
Wednesday, November 20, 2024 11:14AM CST
Friday, November 15, 2024 10:51AM CST
An Urban’s Rural View
Urban Lehner
Editor Emeritus
Monday, December 2, 2024 7:13AM CST
Wednesday, November 20, 2024 2:06PM CST
Monday, November 11, 2024 9:11AM CST
Canadian Markets
Cliff Jamieson
Canadian Grains Analyst
Thursday, December 5, 2024 12:47PM CST
Friday, November 29, 2024 1:12PM CST
Thursday, November 28, 2024 5:01AM CST
Editor’s Notebook
Greg D. Horstmeier
DTN Editor-in-Chief
Wednesday, October 23, 2024 12:11PM CST
Wednesday, October 9, 2024 12:37PM CST
Monday, September 30, 2024 6:46AM CST
Copyright DTN. All rights reserved. Disclaimer.
Powered By DTN