Tyson Foods to shut down production in Logansport

LOGANSPORT, Ind. (Inside INdiana Business) — The beef and pork subsidiary of Arkansas-based Tyson Foods Inc. (NYSE: TSN) says will voluntarily close its Logansport facility. Tyson Fresh Meats Inc. says it is working with the Cass County Health Department to conduct COVID-19 testing for its more than 2,200 employees. 

The company says it suspended production at the facility on Monday for additional deep cleaning and sanitizing but has been running and limited production since then. All production is expected to stop on or before Saturday.

“While we understand the necessity of keeping our facilities operational so that we can continue to feed the nation, the safety of our team members remains our top priority,” Steve Stouffer, group president of Tyson Fresh Meats, said in a news release. “Our company is deeply embedded in our plant communities, including Logansport. We’re working with the county to make sure our people and the community are safe. The combination of worker absenteeism, COVID-19 cases and community concerns has resulted in a collective decision to close.” 

Tyson says all employees at the facility will continue to be paid while the plant is closed. The company adds production will resume depending on several factors, including the results of the employee testing.

Tyson Foods has also indefinitely suspended operations at its pork plant in Waterloo, Iowa. The company’s additional meat and poultry plans are continuing to operate, though Tyson says some are running at reduced production levels.