Cargill's sale of its Fresno, California, meat processing plant to Central Valley Meat will result in nearly 180 worker layoffs.
The state's Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification system (WARN) issued notices in the first week of June, ahead of the company transition. Central Valley Meat says 700 of the 880 current employees will join the company after the purchase.
Cargill will keep its neighboring ground beef and hamburger patty facilities, which produce for McDonald's, open in Fresno.
The acquiring company is the largest beef producer in the state, positioning it to have a strong hold in the Central Valley. The processing plant in Fresno handles 1,600 head of cattle per day.
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Five years ago, Central Valley Meat Holding Co. acquired Harris Ranch Beef, the largest feedlot in California.
Central Valley Meat said in a statement that the expansion will “strengthen their processing capabilities” and “help meet market demands.” Layoffs go into effect Aug. 4.
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