Prepared meats and sandwiches processorPierre Foods Inc., Cincinnati, said it plans in August to close its pre-cooked chicken and meats plant in Rome, Ga.

Officials said the move will affect approximately 350 workers who will receive a severance package (based on tenure) and who may apply for positions at other Pierre facilities. The company has additional plants in Cincinnati and Amherst, Ohio; Easley, S.C.; and Claremont, N.C.

"We have undertaken a company-wide review of our capacity and determined that we must consolidate some of our manufacturing assets and align our capacity more closely to our needs," said Mike Zelkind, senior vice president of operations. "It's the right business decision for Pierre, but we regret the job loss for our dedicated Rome employees."

Pierre Foods assumed the Rome facility in 2006 the company purchased chicken processor Zartic Foods.