Pilgrim's Pride Corp. announced this week that, effective Dec. 29, 2017, it will close its Luverne, Minn., poultry processing facility, which employs approximately 200 people. The decision to close the facility will allow Pilgrim's to shift production and equipment to more efficient operations in order to enhance synergies and better serve the company's key customers.

"The Pilgrim's team explored several options before arriving at the difficult decision to close the Luverne facility," said Jayson Penn, head of Pilgrim's USA. "We recognize the impact this has on our Luverne team, their families and the local community, and we will make every effort to assist in future job placement, including relocation opportunities at other company locations for all impacted employees."

Acquired in 1998 from the city, the Luverne processing plant was a former IBP beef production facility that was converted to produce frozen and convenience chicken products. Production capabilities at Luverne will be transferred to other nearby company facilities. The facility closure will have no impact on the Pilgrim's overall production capacity, the announcement noted.