Tyson Foods cutting Dawson shift, costing 70 jobs

SPRINGDALE, Ark. — In an effort to streamline operations, poultry giant Tyson Foods Inc. has announced that it would be cutting the third shift from its plant in Dawson, in addition to closing the company’s location in Buena Vista.

The two moves, are expected to eliminate about 260 jobs, 70 in Dawson and 190 in Buena Vista, according to press release issued by the company.

The cancellation of the third shift at the Dawson facility will occur on April 10 and the Buena Vista plant closure is expected by the end of May.

According to the press release, the planned Buena Vista closure is due to a combination of factors including changing product needs, the age of the facility and the prohibitive cost of its renovation.

“Because these changes affect our team members and their families, it was a very tough decision,” said Tyson Foods President of Poultry Noel White. “Our business needs have changed in southern Georgia, so after a great deal of consideration, we’ve decided to take these steps in order to best serve our customers.”

The two moves come on the heels of the company’s January announcement that it is making a significant investment in Vienna, where a change in production focus will add an additional 700 jobs at that facility.

The planned $110 million investment to renovate the facility is also expected to add an additional 100,000 square feet to the plant the company purchased in 1995. That project should be completed by mid 2015.

While the news of expansion in Vienna has been well received, the news that one of Dawson and Terrell County’s largest employers was cutting jobs has generated some concern.

“It’s a significant impact,” said Terrell County Chamber of Commerce Board Chairman Steve Highsmith. “Tyson has been a strong force in the economy of Terrell County for years. It’s always difficult when these types of decisions are made that affect people.”

Highsmith said Tyson continues to be an important part of the area’s economy and he hopes that the company may one day be able to re-instate a third shift.

“We hope that this might be a short run,” said Highsmith. “We appreciate Tyson’s presence in Terrell County. It’s been a significant employer for us for a number of years.”

Tyson Foods, Inc., which is headquartered in Springdale, Ark. is one of the world’s largest producers of chicken, beef, pork and prepared foods, including the brands, Tyson, Jimmy Dean, Hillshire Farm, Sara Lee, Ball Park, and others.

The company operates more than 400 facilities globally and employs approximately 124,000 people.