Tyson Foods continues wave of closures: Plant in Emporia to be shut down

The series of closures at Tyson Foods continues: The food giant is forced to shut down another plant. On Monday, the company announced that the plant in Emporia, Kansas, will cease operations in February 2025. Over 800 employees were informed of this step by letter. In a letter obtained by the Topeka Capital-Journal, Ernesto Sanchez, Vice President for Beef and Pork, expressed "deep regret" over the closure and emphasized that it is an indisputable decision. According to a federally mandated WARN notice from Kansasworks, 809 employees at the Emporia location will be affected. This notice is intended to provide both workers and their families sufficient time for the transition. The expected closure date is February 14, 2025. A spokesperson for Tyson Foods stressed to the Capital-Journal that the well-being of employees is a top priority and support will be provided at the local and state levels. This latest closure follows a series of similar decisions the company has made in recent years. As early as 2023, Tyson Foods closed locations in Indiana, Virginia, as well as in Arkansas and Missouri. In March 2024, the closure of the factory in Perry, Iowa was also announced, which presented challenges for over 1,200 employees. At the same time, the retail chain Big Lots announced the closure of 19 more stores as part of its Chapter 11 bankruptcy. The employment landscape in the food sector thus remains in flux.