Pilgrim's Pride to move Alabama plant capabilities to Russellville

Pilgrim's Pride will transfer the production, equipment and employees from its Athens, Alabama, facility to the one in nearby Russellville, also located in Alabama.

Last month, Pilgrim's Pride announced it would idle its Athens plant.

Most of the plant's production will be moved to Russellville over the next several months, said company spokeswoman Karla Harvill. The move will include equipment and an undetermined number of jobs, which will be offered first to current employees in Athens.

The Russellville facility is expected to employ an additional 350 workers.

Pilgrim's Pride Corporation employs approximately 41,000 people and operates chicken processing plants and prepared-foods facilities in 14 states, Puerto Rico and Mexico. The company's primary distribution is through retailers and foodservice distributors.