Allen Harim, a leading producer and processor of chicken in the Delmarva region, announced last week that it is consolidating its processing operation to one central location, leading to the closure of a plant in Cordova, Md., in July.

The closure will affect approximately 300 employees at that facility, who will be offered jobs at the company's other locations.

According to Steve Evans, chief executive officer of Allen Harim, a combination of factors contributed to the decision, including the age of the facility, a shift in the company's product mix and a desire to improve the company's competitive position in order to assure greater efficiency.

"We are very grateful to our Cordova-based employees, some of whom have been with us for a very long time," Evans said. "We will do everything possible to help them continue their employment with us or to help them find other opportunities."

Much of the processing equipment will be moved to the company's Harbeson, Del., facility in the coming months.

Last month, Allen Harim became one of the first chicken companies in the nation to provide 100% vegetarian feed for its birds. It also announced that its signature brand, Nature's Sensation, would be positioned as "no antibiotics ever."

The company has seen steady growth since it was purchased by the Harim Group in 2011. Since that time, the company has grown from 1,229 employees to more than 1,800. The company also has 230 independent growers and 20 company farms across Delmarva. About half those farms are located in Maryland. The consolidation of processing operations will not affect any poultry growers in Maryland, Delaware or North Carolina.

"We've worked very hard over the past three years to take this company in a new and focused direction and to return it to a profitable operation that will continue to grow and employ people on Delmarva," Evans added. "We are following a strategic plan that achieves our goal of a sustainable company moving forward."