Tyson to reopen fire-damaged Kansas plant in December
It said reconstruction of the facility is near completion and efforts to resume harvest operations will begin the first week of December, with intentions to be fully operational by the first week of January.
“We recognize the disruption the fire caused for our suppliers and our customers and are more than pleased to announce we are in the final stages of reconstruction,” said Tyson Fresh Meats president Steve Stouffer. “Our team is ready to begin the process of ramping back up, recognizing that there will be testing and adjustments over the first few weeks to ensure equipment functionality while maintaining our commitment to team member safety and food safety.”
The fire, that took place in August, severely damaged a critical part of the plant containing the hydraulic and electrical systems that support the harvest floor and cooler areas. Reconstruction included completely replacing support beams and the roof, hydraulic piping and pumps, installing over 50,000 feet of new wiring and the reconstruction of all new electrical panel rooms and equipment.
Since the fire, cattle have been diverted to the company’s other beef facilities, where they were able to offset some of the production volume losses, to try and help mitigate disruption to cattle producers and customers, and the company has continued to pay active, full-time team members for 40 hours per week. It added that team members have been instrumental in helping with clean-up and the reconstruction process.
Tyson Fresh Meats plans to resume receiving cattle at the Holcomb facility the first week of December.
In its fourth quarter results, Tyson reported that its beef sales volume decreased due to a reduction in live cattle processing capacity from the temporary closure of the site.
