Ozark Mountain Poultry (OMP), Rogers, Ark., announced plans to consolidate its front half deboning operations into its new facility at Batesville, Ark., in April. As a result, the plant in Warren, Ark., closed, effective April 7, impacting approximately 200 employees.

A combination of factors contributed to the decision, according to Ed Fryar, chief executive officer, including the available space in the new Batesville facility and a desire to reduce the company’s footprint to provide greater efficiencies.

“Consolidation allows us to create greater value for our customers and to simultaneously reduce our carbon footprint,” he adds. “Also, the new facility in Batesville was an unknown at the time we began operations in Warren. This was a very difficult decision to make. The quality of the available work force in Warren was very good for us, and we are very appreciative of our Warren-based employees. We encourage them to apply for openings at either of our Batesville or Rogers locations, and will also try to assist them in finding other opportunities in the Warren area.”

“We will be hiring 400 people as a result of our expansions in the Batesville area,” says Fryar. 

OMP produces premium quality chicken for the restaurant industry and a variety of grocery retailers through its consumer-based brand Forester Farmer’s Market.