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Local News

Wednesday, February 18, 2009

New Riegel factory to shut down, idling 230
Horizon Eyecare - Findlay
NEW RIEGEL — Smithfield Foods said Tuesday it will close its Farmland Foods meat processing plant in New Riegel and five other factories.

Smithfield will cut 1,800 jobs, including about 230 hourly and salaried workers at the Seneca County plant.

Smithfield said the Farmland Foods plant will close in April as part of a restructuring that comes amid an overall slump in the meat industry. The company will shift spiral ham production to other facilities.

The company said it would offer transfers to some salaried employees.

Farmland President James Sbarro praised the employees and work record at New Riegel, but said the company needs to find ways to improve operating efficiencies to remain competitive.

Official notices of the closing are being filed.

Sbarro says the company will continue to own the New Riegel plant and will explore uses for the building.

Smithfield Chief Executive C. Larry Pope said the nation's largest pork producer was switching its focus from buying up competitors to operating more efficiently. He said Smithfield would shift away from low-margin businesses and instead work on expanding its packaged meat business, where it can make more money.

The company plans to combine seven of its independent operating companies into three main units, and close the six plants by December. The moves will lead to annual cost savings, after expenses, of about $55 million in fiscal 2010 and $125 million by the following year.

Other plants slated for closure include Smithfield Packing Co. plants in Smithfield, Va.; Plant City, Fla.; and Elon, N.C.; a John Morrell plant in Great Bend, Kan.; and an Armour-Eckrich Meats factory in Hastings, Neb.

The meat industry is slumping as companies like Smithfield recover from volatile energy and commodity costs that reached record highs over the summer.

An oversupply of meat on the market has been keeping prices down, while tight credit markets have hurt the potential for exports, a key market for meat producers. Further, a drop in restaurant spending by consumers has lowered demand.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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2 Comments

Latest comments listed first.
J wrote:
Factory Closing
“ It is to bad that another group of people in the area will be out of work. This is why Ohio has got to make the state more desirable to companies from other states. Taxes and other business expenses need to be brought in line with other states. We can't continue to be an undesirable location for out of state business. ”
Wednesday, February 18, 2009 2:40:56 PM
stacy wrote:
Terrible
“ My heart goes out to all of the workers at the New Riegel plant. I especially feel awful for families that have both parents working there to support their children. You will be in my thoughts and prayers. ”
Wednesday, February 18, 2009 7:07:17 AM
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Benton Ridge Shooting

This video, released by the Hancock County Prosecutor's Office, shows the shooting of a Lima man who led authorities on a three-county chase ending Aug.24 in Benton Ridge. Be cautioned, the video contains graphic content.
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News Briefs Firefighters discover 20 marijuana plants in house
After fighting a house fire early Monday at 815 Howard St., firefighters found 20 marijuana plants in the residence.

"They ran across it and called us," said police Sgt. Justin Hendren with the Hancock County METRICH Drug Enforcement Unit.

Police seized all 20 plants, and Hendren said charges are pending.

High-powered growing lights, fans, and a box filled with dried marijuana were also found in the house, according to a police report.

Investigators said an electrical short started the fire before 3 a.m. Monday.

The blaze caused an estimated $12,000 in damage to the residence, owned by Amanda Crawford. No one was injured, according to the Findlay Fire Department.

Carey announces holiday closing
CAREY -- Carey offices, including administrative, income tax and utilities, electric, wastewater treatment plant, and public works, will be closed Monday in observance of Labor Day.

The curbside recycling program will be held Tuesday through Thursday, Sept. 7-9.

Findlay trooper named sergeant
Trooper Jacob L. Fletcher, assigned to the Findlay post of the State Highway Patrol, was promoted to sergeant Wednesday by Patrol Superintendent Col. David Dicken.

With the promotion, Fletcher will stay at the Findlay post and serve as an assistant post commander, according to the patrol.

Fletcher began his patrol career in 2002 after graduating from the 139th Academy class and has been assigned to the Findlay post since.

Owens announces holiday schedule
The Toledo and Findlay campuses of Owens Community College will be closed Saturday through Monday for the Labor Day holiday.

There will be no classes and the college offices will be closed.

Classes will resume and offices will open again on Tuesday.

Holiday changes ad deadlines
The Courier won't be published on Monday, in observance of the Labor Day holiday.

Because of the holiday, some advertising deadlines have been moved up this week:

Black and white display advertising for Tuesday's newspaper must be placed by noon Friday. Display advertising for Wednesday's newspaper must be placed by 2:30 p.m. Friday.

Color display advertising for the Thursday, Sept. 9 newspaper must be placed by Friday.

Classified advertising and City and Country advertising for Saturday's newspaper must be placed by 2 p.m. Friday. Classified ads for Tuesday's newspaper must be placed by 2:30 p.m. Friday.

Courier business and advertising offices will close at 3 p.m. Friday for the holiday.