LINCOLN, Neb. – The chairman and president of Premium Protein Products said Monday that his company is cutting 30 to 40 jobs.

Steve Sands said that the layoffs will take place over the next four weeks.

He said the cutbacks affect only the Lincoln operation, taking the staff down to 20 in the plant and 25 in corporate offices.

Sands said the company’s Hastings operation is not affected. He reportedly said it's grown over the last couple of years to about 350 workers from 150.

According to reports, Sands said the company is eliminating some chicken cooking because of lower margins in foodservice and will instead focus on beef products.

Source: Associated Press