WEST LIBERTY, IOWA — Turkey processor West Liberty Foods is closing its Mount Pleasant meat slicing plant, halting operations by May 7, 2023, according to the company. The closure will affect 350 employees.

The company is moving production from the plant to other facilities in Illinois, Iowa and Utah. The Mount Pleasant plant opened in 2003 and provided sliced meat products to retail and foodservice customers.

The decision to close the plant was the result of a recent shift in the types of products and capabilities needed to support customers, according to the company.

“This shift has resulted in a drastic reduction in pre-sliced deli meats, leaving this particular facility and its equipment unmatched to the company’s future needs and direction,” West Liberty said.