Published in News
Cargill to Shut Down Milwaukee Beef Plant, 221 Jobs Lost
The food company will close its Milwaukee facility this spring, and more than 200 workers will lose their jobs.
Martina Osmak
Director of Marketing
Plant Will Close This Spring
Cargill has announced it will permanently close its ground beef processing plant in Milwaukee.
The facility is located at 200 South Emmber Lane. According to the company, production is expected to stop around April 17, 2026. The building will fully close by around May 31, 2026.
This decision will affect about 221 employees.
Workers Will Lose Their Jobs in Phases
Cargill said layoffs will not happen all at once.
The first round of job cuts is expected to begin around April 11.
Other layoffs will follow in the weeks after that.
The workers include automation technicians, electricians, operations staff, and other plant employees.
The company has already informed workers about the closure.
What Support Will Employees Get?
Cargill says it understands that this is a difficult time for employees and their families.
The company stated that:
Employees can apply for open positions at other Cargill locations.
Workers who leave the company will receive a severance package.
In a statement, a company spokesperson said the company will try to support workers with care and respect during the transition.
Why Is the Plant Closing?
Cargill explained that the decision is part of a business change. The company said it wants to adjust its operations to match current customer demand. It also wants to invest in areas that are more important for its future growth.
The ground beef production currently done in Milwaukee will move to other facilities. Some of that work will go to the company’s plant in nearby Butler.
What This Means for Milwaukee
The closure means more than 200 local jobs will disappear in the coming months. For many families, this could create financial stress.
City officials have not yet shared details about any local response, but workers now face the challenge of finding new employment before the plant shuts down at the end of May.
The coming weeks will be important for affected employees as they look at their next steps.