The reopening of the Moose Jaw Pork Packers could offer employees laid off by XL Beef hope for the future, according to the new owners of the plant.
Tony Martinez, Donald’s Fine Foods/Britco pork vice president, told the Times-Herald the company (which arranged to purchase the plant from the City of Moose Jaw in May) would be more than happy to employ workers from XL Beef.
Nearly 200 employees were permanently laid off last week after XL Foods Inc. announced the plant in Moose Jaw will be shut down permanently within 90 days.
Martinez said he was disappointed to hear the news that XL Beef is closing its doors.
“I think it’s always sad when anything closes. That’s our philosophy.
“It might open up some jobs for us but we want to be in a vibrant community and make sure there is lots going on.
“It’s disappointing news for us to be quite frank,” he said.
But Martinez said once opened, the Moose Jaw Pork Packers, which is likely to have an eventual name change, will provide jobs for up to 200 people.
“Any time we can get someone who has experience working in a meat plant and understands the dynamics it’s, for me, advantageous.
“If we could employ any of them (XL Beef employees) we would love to,” he said.
Martinez said the plan is to open the plant before the end of the year —hopefully in mid December.
Read more in a future Times-Herald edition.
