SMITHFIELD, Va. (AP) -- A Smithfield Foods facility in Virginia that produces barbecued ribs, stews and soups will close next month.
Vice president for human resources Jeff Gough told The Virginian-Pilot that the closure of the Ham and Products Facility in Smithfield won't affect consumers.
Gough says the company's business is growing faster than the facility can handle. He didn't elaborate.
Smithfield plans to close the facility March 26 and lay off 53 workers. Gough says the company and the Laborers' International Union of North America are negotiating a severance package.
Laid-off workers would be eligible to apply for other openings within the company.