Cargill is to close a meat slicing and packaging site in the US, a move which sees 118 jobs at risk.

On Friday (9 January), Cargill said operations at the plant in Springfield, Missouri would be shifted to facilities in Nebraska and Waco. The Springfield facility will close on 11 March.

“Given the scale of our facilities where this work is going, the proximity to raw materials, and technology driven efficiencies that can be gained, in addition to the shipping logistics benefits for our customers, we believe this move better positions us for future growth in a highly competitive environment,” Ruth Kimmelshue, president of Cargill’s turkey and cooked meats division, said.

“Nevertheless, it always hurts when people’s jobs are impacted, which is why we will offer to provide them with an appropriate level of transition support.”