Tyson keeps historic Iowa beef plant open (March 14, 2014) - Tyson Foods Inc. confirmed today that it will keep open its historic Denison, Iowa, beef plant as market conditions have improved since the company announced its potential closure two years ago. At the time, Tyson announced an expansion to its Dakota City, Neb., beef complex that the company thought might prompt Denison’s closure amid tight cattle supplies. But the Dakota City upgrade is taking longer than expected, and the closing of competitors’ beef plants in the last couple years and reduced feed prices have helped make the Denison slaughterhouse viable. “Last week we told our Denison team members that conditions have changed and that we currently have no plans to close the plant,” spokesman Gary Mickelson told Meatingplace in a statement. The Denison plant employs more than 380 workers and has been in operation since 1961, then under Iowa Beef Packers, which ushered in the modern, large-scale meatpacking and feedlot era. Later, the company known as IBP Inc. became the world’s largest beef and pork supplier. Tyson acquired IBP in October 2001 for $3.2 billion, forming the world’s largest processor of beef, pork and chicken.
Posted on: Tue, 01 Apr 2014 09:10:41 +0000