Peco Foods will close three facilities in Mississippi, shifting production to three other company facilities.
In a press release issued on January 7, Peco Foods announced a “company-wide repositioning” that includes the closure of plants in Brooksville and Canton, and the hatchery in Philadelphia as part of “its strategic plan to better align with changing consumer needs and economic conditions.”
Peco Foods said it would shift production “based on customer feedback and consumer habits,” while taking industry trends into account. Resources will be further invested in ramping up the company’s facility in West Point, Mississippi, and adding operations in Sebastopol, Mississippi, and Pocahontas, Arkansas, which the company says have the capability to expand value-added product lines and meet rising demand for customer-driven, innovative foods.
Peco Foods is working to provide team members at the closing facilities opportunities to work at other company facilities, and has plans to finalize all changes by this summer.
“Since Peco’s beginnings as a family-owned company 83 years ago, the industry has drastically shifted,” said Peco Foods Chief Operating Officer Bill Griffith. “By streamlining our operations, we can continue building a sustainable company that will support the families and communities of our team members and customers for years to come. The decisions announced today – each carefully considered – will position Peco strongly for future growth and industry leadership.”
“By growing strategically, we can continue attracting and retaining the brightest in the industry and contributing to economic development across our footprint,” added Peco Foods CEO Mark Hickman. “We are thankful for the community support we’ve received over the years and look forward to impacting the region as a growing, thriving company employing thousands.”
Peco Foods, headquartered in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, is the eighth largest poultry company in the United States. In 2019, it processed 36.48 million pounds of ready-to-cook chicken on a weekly basis.
According to the WATTPoultry.com Top Companies Database, Peco Foods has six slaughter plants, one further processing plant, five hatcheries and six feed mills.
In July 2020, the company announced it was restructuring its sales and marketing department, while creating three leadership positions.
