Mar 3, 2008 10:22 AM

Tyson Foods Inc. plans to close its Wilkesboro NC plant and terminate more than 400 jobs as it focuses on ready-to-eat products instead of refrigerated foods. Operations at the plant—one of three Tyson operates in Wilkesboro—are expected to stop April 1. No decision has been made about future use of the facility.

According to the Springdale AR-based meat producer, growing popularity of ready-to-eat products such as rotisserie chicken has spurred a drop in consumer demand for its refrigerated, oven-roasted chicken products. Tyson has therefore opted to shift its operations away from such products.