(Dakota Dunes, SD) — Beef Products, Incorporated has announced that they will shut down three of their beef plants located at Amarillo, Texas; Garden City, Kansas; and at Waterloo, Iowa, as of May 25th. The three beef plants employ 650 people. B-P-I spokesperson, Rich Jochum says the company wanted to rebuild markets following the unfounded and misguided attacks on the boneless lean beef trimmings. However, he admits although the consumers are hearing the true message regarding the finely textured beef, the markets have not rebounded to the point to allow those plants to continue. The South Sioux City plant has operated at reduced capacity. B-P-I intends to continue operations at the South Sioux facility, and expand production as the market activity allows. In the interim, B-P-I stands behind our lean beef as 100 percent wholesome, safe, and nutritious. and we continue to defend Beef Products, Incorporated against mischaracterizations and irresponsible misrepresentations that led us to take these actions.
Branstad Reacts To B-P-I Closing of Beef Plants
(Des Moines) — Governor Terry Branstad is responding to the news of B-P-I’s intention to shut down the three plants, including the Waterloo, Iowa plant that employs 200 people. Branstad said in a statement that “this is a sad day for the state of Iowa. The fact that a false, misleading smear campaign can destroy a company’s reputation overnight should disturb us all. Branstad says his office will never stop fighting for every single job in this state, and he hopes as consumers continue to learn about the safe, healthy and lean food, they will understand what a great product, lean, finely textured beef truly is.
State Senator Anderson Comments On B-P-I Closings
(Des Moines) — State Senator Bill Anderson of Pierson says “it is truly unfortunate that the recent social media smear campaign against lean, finely textured ground beef and B-P-I has won out and because of it, hard-working Iowans are being laid off. Locally, B-P-I workers have seen hours cut due to a decrease in demand and a misinformed public. The product that BPI produces has always been a quality product that Iowans have been proud to work on and be a part of.”
