SPRINGDALE, ARK. – Production will be temporarily stopped at the Tyson Fresh Meats pork plant in Columbus Junction, Iowa, due to a mechanical malfunction in the refrigeration system that occurred Dec. 15.

“We’re grateful to the plant management for quickly and efficiently evacuating team members from the building and keeping them safe first and foremost,” said Steve Stouffer, group president of Tyson Fresh Meats. “This has been a challenging year, and we want to ensure our team members are safe. Full-time, active team members will continue to be paid weekly until production resumes.”

Stouffer said all full-time active employees are guaranteed 40 hours per week pay during the temporary closure. The Columbus Junction plant employs approximately 1,100 people.

No one was hurt during the equipment malfunction. Company officials expect the plant to be closed for a few days as the situation is evaluated and equipment is repaired.

“We’re taking steps to temporarily move production to other plants,” Stouffer said. “With Tyson Foods’ multiple pork facilities, we are able to use our other Tyson locations within our network to help keep livestock and product supplies moving in a timely manner with limited customer or farmer disruptions.”