J&B Group lays off 18


Due to volume softness and new business that was expected but didn’t materialize, J&B Group laid off 18 employees last week at its Pipestone plant, seven of those part-time positions.

“We typically see a downturn in volume at the end of the summer, but we had also expected some additional volume that did not materialize and we found ourselves overstaffed and thus needed to reduce our workforce,” said Kelly Kiwus, vice president of Corporate Services, by email from the company’s corporate headquarters in St. Michael, Minn.

The 18 employees represent 10 percent of the company’s Pipestone labor force, Kiwus said.

The family-owned, cold supply chain provider of protein products –– meat, poultry, seafood and deli food –– ramped up its Pipestone workforce in July of this year to 175 employees in anticipation of the expected new business. The company’s lowest number of employees was 137 in 2018.

Kiwus said she did not know if there would be further layoffs.

“If there is a need for further layoffs, we will be transparent with our associates, the community, and you,” she said.

J&B’s Pipestone facility at 1401 Sioux Drive, built in 1990, once housed Ellison Meat Co. J&B acquired that business and 53,000 square-foot facility in 2007. The plant produces primarily frozen steaks and fresh and frozen ground beef patties, according to the company’s website.

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