Hastings Plant To Close, Nearly 400 To Lose Jobs

Yet another company is hit hard by the economy, The Armour-Eckrich plant in Hastings announced come June they're closing there doors for good, leaving almost 400 employees without a job.

When a plant closes like the Armour Meat packing plant in a city like Hastings it's not only going to leave many of their residents unemployed but take a hit on the city as well.

Smoke will no longer be billowing out of the Armour Eckrich meat packing plant in Hastings come July.

The company announced it will be closing six of their factories across the country including the one right here in Hastings.

The company said the 1,800 jobs that will be cut nationwide are part of a plan to consolidate and streamline its pork business.

But in Hastings the 370 jobs that will be lost is a huge surprise to local residents.

“It's a big shock to everybody because armour has been around for a long time so its just a lot of people losing their jobs is just really scary.” Hastings Resident Kassandra McCready said.

Mayor of Hastings Vern Powers said in a statement “It's a sad day for Hastings and it's a sad day when 400 people find out they'll be unemployed. We're moving forward to try and fill the plant with a new company.”

The company said they will be providing assistance to the hastings workers to help them find future employement.

But for all those here in town, a plant closing of this size is going to affect it in a big way.

“I think it will definitely have  slow down effect on everybody in al of the town.”

Again, the plant won't be closing until July, and will affect around 370 hourly and salary employees.

We tried to contact both the management as well as employees, but was told they are not allowed to talk to media.

The Following is a News Release From Armour-Eckrich Meats LLC:

Armour-Eckrich to Close Hastings Production Facility

HASTINGS, Neb. (February 17, 2009) – Armour-Eckrich Meats LLC announced today that it will close its Hastings production facility in July and transfer production to other facilities. The plant closure will affect approximately 370 hourly and salaried employees.

            “This was a very difficult decision for the company,” said Michael E. Brown, president of Armour-Eckrich. “We are proud of the workers of Hastings and the plant's record of performance. Unfortunately, we need to find ways to improve our operating efficiencies to remain competitive. And this often means consolidating operations.”

            “We will provide assistance to the Hastings employees to find future employment,” Brown said.  He noted that the company will work with area businesses and services to help find opportunities for employees and coordinate with the local unemployment office to assist employees with claims or job applications.

            The company will comply with the federal Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act (WARN), including providing a 60-day notification of the plant closure to employees. Under the WARN Act, Armour-Eckrich also will notify state dislocated worker units so that they can promptly offer dislocated worker assistance. WARN Act notices, where appropriate, are being issued today.

            “The move is designed to improve Armour-Eckrich's competitive position and enhance the company's ability to provide quality products and superior customer service,” Brown said. “Unfortunately, the move requires us to make some tough decisions.”

            Brown added, “We've been in this community a long time, and this move is a very difficult one for us. Hastings has been a good work environment for Armour-Eckrich.”

            The Hastings plant produces packaged meats for retail, deli and foodservice customers.