Tyson Foods, Inc., Springdale, Ark., will close its Buffalo, N.Y., prepared foods plant on Jan. 3, 2015, affecting 287 jobs.
“We’re very grateful for our many years in Buffalo. It’s a great community, and we’re very proud of our team members and what they were able to accomplish in making high-quality, great-tasting food for our customers,” according to a statement released by Tyson Foods. “The business decision to close the plant was a difficult one, especially because we understand the impact it has on the people who have worked for us. However, closing this plant is what’s best for the long-term health of our business. We have examined all kinds of options over the last several months to try and have a different outcome, but this is the one that made the most business sense.”
The Buffalo plant produces hot dogs, sausage and hams. Production would move to other, more efficient Tyson plants.
Tyson Foods announced plans to discontinue operations at the Buffalo plant earlier this year, along with the Cherokee, Iowa, plant, which will close effective Sept. 27, and the Santa Teresa, N.M., plant.