National Beef Announces Plan to Close California Plant
National Beef Packing Company (National Beef) today announced plans to close its beef processing facility located in Brawley, California. The last day of production is expected to be April 4, 2014. Approximately 1,300 employees working at the facility will be impacted by this closure.
A declining supply of fed cattle available for the Brawley facility was a key driver of the decision to close the plant, said Tim Klein, chief executive officer, National Beef. "This was a very difficult decision for us to make because of the impact on our employees and suppliers. We are optimistic about the long-term prospects for U.S. beef demand and we will continue to focus on expanding our position as the industry leader in value-added beef products."
"We have a committed, hard-working team of employees and suppliers in Brawley, and we truly understand the impact this will have on them," said Brian Webb, vice president and general manager, National Beef. "We are grateful for their service to our company and we will work closely with them during this transition."
National Beef has not determined the future status of the facility, which it acquired in 2006. The company, based in Kansas City, Missouri, and its subsidiaries have operations in Liberal, Dodge City and Kansas City, Kansas; Brawley, California; Hummels Wharf, Pennsylvania; Moultrie, Georgia; and St. Joseph, Missouri.
