KINSTON, N.C. (AP) — Smithfield Packing Co. says it will close a smoked ham manufacturing plant in Kinston where 476 people work.
The nation's largest pork processing company said in a news release Monday that the workers will be offered jobs at other plants. Smithfield said it will continue normal operations at a more modern ham facility that opened in November 2006 in Kinston.
Portions of the plant that's being closed were built in 1948, and Smithfield said it's too costly to modernize.
The company employs more than 10,000 people in North Carolina. In addition to the plants in Kinston, the company operates in Clayton, Clinton, Elon, Tar Heel and Wilson. It also is a partner in Butterball's facility in Mount Olive.
