SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WGGB/WSHM) -- Nearly 200 workers are being laid off at Smithfield, a long-time business with a location in Springfield. The company’s news was shared just last week, and 190 employees will now be without a job as soon as this April.

Smithfield is a dry sausage facility, open since 1936, with locations nationwide. Here in Springfield, you may know them as the sole bacon donor for the annual World’s Largest Pancake Breakfast.

Just a month ago, the Carando Drive plant was fined $138,000 by the EPA after violating the Clean Air Act regarding ammonia handling.

Smithfield wrote to us in a statement that explained their Springfield production will be transferred to other Smithfield packaged meats facilities.

They also said quote:

The company will lay off the 190 workers starting on April 10th, with the last workers due to leave on September 11th.

All of this is according to the worker adjustment and Retraining Notification Act, also known as “WARN”, which requires employers to provide 60 days’ written notice before a plant closing or mass layoff.

The company will lay off the 190 workers starting on April 10th, with the last workers due to leave on September 11th.

All of this is according to the worker adjustment and Retraining Notification Act, also known as “WARN”, which requires employers to provide 60 days’ written notice before a plant closing or mass layoff.

You can read the full statement below:

Re: Notification of Facility Closing and Employment Separations

Dear Mr. Jones:

This Notice is being provided pursuant to the Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act of 1988, which requires employers to give official notice of a mass layoff or facility closing to the elected representatives of the employees affected by these actions.

Due to changed business requirements, Smithfield Packaged Meats Corp. intends to permanently close the facility it operates at 20 Carando Drive, Springfield, MA 01104.

A total of 190 employees will be laid off from the Springfield production facility. A document with the job titles of positions to be eliminated, and the number of affected employees in each job title is attached to this letter.

Employees will be laid off based upon seniority and qualifications. Employees who work at the facility may inquire about job opportunities at other Company locations in other states but will not be able to displace or bump other employees at another location.

The layoffs are expected to begin on or about April 10, 2026. Production at the plant will end on or about August 21, 2026, and the activities necessary to fully empty and close the plant will continue through on or about September 11, 2026.

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