990602 Field Packing Dropping Fresh Meat Business

Owensboro, KY - Field Packing Company announced that it will discontinue its fresh meats operation to focus on strengthening and growing its processed meats business.

The company based its decision on an extensive ongoing evaluation of the fresh meats operation and its future prospects. Labor costs were not a factor in the decision. The decision will affect approximately 150 employees at the company's Owensboro facility, effective August 6, 1999.

“Despite our efforts to maintain this business, our fresh meats operation continues to be impacted by fierce competition from larger companies, severe pricing pressure, and a rapidly changing retail market,” said Sam Wise, president of Field. “We regret that this difficult but necessary decision will affect some of our employees.”

Wise emphasized that Field intends to focus its resources on its profitable processed meats business, which employs about 440 at the Owensboro facility.

“We are committed to building an even brighter future for our processed meats business, which produces Kentuckian Ham, the Kentuckian Gold Premium deli line and other high-quality products,” Wise said. “Our company will be in a better position to compete in the 21st Century.”

Field recently demonstrated its strong commitment to the processed meats business with the completion of a new 100,000-square-foot ham processing facility at Owensboro, that will quadruple the company's ham production capacity.

“Field will continue to be a major employer and good neighbor in Owensboro for years to come,” Wise concluded.

Field's hourly production workers are members of Local 227 of the United Food & Commercial Workers union. The company's labor contract outlines procedures for layoffs and recall rights. Wise emphasized that Field enjoys a mutually respectful relationship with the union.

Founded in 1914 by Charles Eldred Field, Field provides products for customers in more than 20 states. The company's brands of processed meats include Kentuckian Ham, the Kentuckian Gold Premium deli line, and Field Lunchmeats, Sliced Bacon and Hot Dogs.

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