August 1, 2011

Townsends to close two North Carolina plants

Townsends Inc.'s new owner has begun its closing operations at its Mockville and Siler City facilities.

Omtron Ltd., which acquired Townsends' North Carolina operations amid the company's bankruptcy proceedings in February, "has begun the process of winding down operations at its Siler City poultry complex as well as its operations in Mocksville, North Carolina," the company said.

It's an even more dramatic turn of events in Mocksville. The plant added more than 200 employees in the last three months and employs about 475 people, Terry Bralley, president of the Davie County Economic Development Commission, told the Winston Salem-Journal.

Meanwhile, Siler City Mayor Charles Johnson had learned that Townsends would cut some 700 jobs in North Carolina by October 1, due to rising input costs.

Omtron's release doesn't mention total numbers.

"It is expected that this process will be completed over the next few weeks," the company states. "Omtron USA, LLC expects to work collaboratively with its employees, growers, creditors, customers and other constituents during this process."