MOULTRIE, Ga. – National Beef Packing Co. announced plans to lay off 433 employees by April 13. The company said 150 layoffs will be at the Hummel’s Wharf, Pa. location and 283 at the Moultrie, Ga. facility.

“National Beef was notified in October by one of its key customers that it would transition away from using National Beef as a supplier of case-ready beef,” the company said in a statement. “Today, there are no plans to close the Hummel’s Wharf or Moultrie facilities; however, they will begin to operate at reduced levels.
“National Beef is working to bring additional business to each facility and to preserve the jobs, skills and experience of the National Beef team at each location,” the company added.

National Beef lost its contract with Wal-Mart in October. At the time, company officials said they expected no changes at the Moultrie, Ga. facility. The company produced case-ready beef, hamburger and pork for Wal-Mart, the largest US retailer. Company officials said they anticipated the change and had a contingency plan aimed at diversifying the company’s customer base.

National Beef has operations in Liberal, Dodge City and Kansas City, Kan.; Brawley, Calif.; Hummel's Wharf, Pa.; Moultrie and St. Joseph, Mo. The company employs approximately 9,100 workers company-wide. National Beef processes and markets fresh beef, case-ready beef, beef by-products and wet-blue leather for domestic and international markets.