JEFFERSON, WIS. – Last week, the Tyson Prepared Foods plant in Jefferson, Wis., resumed operations after being closed since mid-June due to flooding. But due to flood-related equipment damage, Tyson decided to permanently scale-back the level of production at the facility, which means more than 200 of the 480 jobs at the Jefferson plant are being eliminated.

Tyson’s Jefferson plant produces sliced pepperoni for pizza toppings as well as sliced pepperoni and salami for use by deli and foodservice operations. The plant also makes whole stick salami and pepperoni for retail and foodservice customers. Departments being affected by the cuts include slicing, pack cooler, sausage manufacturing and stuffing - cured meats, shipping and loading dock, sanitation and warehouse.

"This was an extremely difficult decision since it affects the lives of Team Members and their families," said Mark Odom, vice president of operations for Tyson Prepared Foods. "However, some of the flood damage in the plant was extensive, and after a thorough analysis, we determined it is simply not feasible to put in new equipment."

Tyson suffered $7 million in damage due to the flooding at Jefferson. The plant suspended production on June 11 at the request of the City of Jefferson, to help reduce the flood-related flow of excess water going into the city’s wastewater treatment system. A few days later, the first floor of the plant was flooded after the Rock River overflowed its banks. After weeks of cleaning and sanitizing the plant, production resumed on Aug. 6, and will increase gradually over the next few weeks.