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Smithfield Foods, the US-based pork and packaged meats giant, has confirmed it will close its dry sausage production facility in Springfield (MA) in August. The move is expected to impact approximately 190 employees, with layoffs scheduled to take place between April and September.
According to the company, production from the Springfield site will be transferred to other packaged meats facilities within its network. The closure is part of a broader strategy to consolidate manufacturing operations and manage costs amid inflationary pressures in the meat sector. In a statement, Smithfield noted that its remaining plants have sufficient capacity to maintain the same standards of quality for its dry sausage products.
The announcement follows a period of significant portfolio adjustments for the Virginia-headquartered firm, which is a subsidiary of China’s WH Group. In January, Smithfield completed the $450 million acquisition of the Nathan’s Famous brand to bolster its packaged meats segment. The company also previously expanded its dry sausage capacity through the 2024 acquisition of a Cargill plant in Nashville, Tennessee, which is capable of producing 50 million pounds of pepperoni and charcuterie-style meats annually. Recent years have seen several other site closures by the firm, including facilities in Iowa, North Carolina and California, as it seeks to improve manufacturing efficiency.
Source: Just Food / FoodBev / Food Business News
