ConAgra is planning to close its Batesville, Ark. poultry processing plant. Approximately 250 employees will be laid off when the facility closes in July, reports KATV News.ConAgra communications and external relations director, Dan Hare, told KAIT that the decision was made after company officials assessed the company's operations. Hare told KAIT that they found that making the product at another location would help make the company operate efficiently and remain competitive.
There is a report that Ozark Mountain Poultry is hoping to take over the plant.
“We are pleased to expand our investment in Arkansas and contribute to the state's poultry industry with the intended purchase of the facility located adjacent to our Batesville operation,” Ed Fryar, Ozark Mountain Poultry CEO, tells Talk Business & Politics. “We plan to retrofit the building to accommodate a new poultry processing line. This will allow us to expand rapidly and with minimal disruption to our current processing operation. Our target completion is scheduled for early 2016.”
Fryar also added, “This investment is part of the company's overall growth strategy. OMP is currently also constructing a new feed mill in Magness, Arkansas, to support its increased operations. The feed mill will be completed by early 2016 as well.”