Monday, June 24, 2013

Smithfield lays off 120 at closing Virginia plant

    Smithfield Foods is laying off 120 more workers as part of its closure of a facility in Portsmouth, Va., that makes hot dogs and deli meat. Smithfield officials plan to close the Portsmouth plant in mid-August.
    The move is unrelated to the company's pending $4.72 billion takeover by Shuanghui International Holdings, China's largest meat producer. Rather, Smithfield announced plans in 2011 to close the plant and shift production to a facility in Kinston, N.C. Layoffs at the facility began in January, with more than 400 workers to be affected by the time plant is closed.
    Smithfield spokespeople told the Associated Press the plant is closing because it cannot support the manufacturing technology changes and product development necessary to meet its needs. 

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