March 12, 2008

Smithfield to shut down smoked ham plant in North Carolina
 

US meat processing giant Smithfield has announced its decision to close down its smoked ham plant in Kinston-North Carolina on May 9, 2008.

The current industry demands modern and efficient facilities that guarantee food quality and food safety but the 60 years old plant is too old, making modernization difficult and costly. As a result, Smithfield has decided to close it down.

Smithfield has another boneless ham plant that is opened in November 2006 at Kinston as well, but it will be continuing its operations.

The plant's closure would affect its 476 employees but Smithfield said it would try its best to minimise job cuts.