Tyson hires new staff for Iowa plant deli meat expansion

Tyson Foods Inc. said it has already started hiring new workers for its Cherokee, Iowa, deli meat plant expansion.

Tyson is expecting to add as many as 100 jobs as it boosts production at the plant, which is one of three Tyson facilities taking on production formerly handled by its Ponca City, Okla., plant due to close this summer. The two other plants are located in Houston and Buffalo.

Spokesman Gary Mickelson said the meat giant will be adding deli meat slicing lines and other packaging equipment. 

The production boost and addition of jobs at Cherokee will occur over the next couple of months. Tyson will be hiring people for production jobs and some management positions, Mickelson said.

He noted that sixty five people have already been hired so far and is seen to add more staff as production ramps up this summer.

The additional jobs are expected to hike the workforce at Cherokee plant to more than 600 people.

Tyson said it is closing its Ponca City, Okla., plant to improve the company's operational efficiencies.