John Morrell , a subsidiary of Smithfield Foods, will close its meat fabrication plant in Sioux City and shed 1,450 jobs in the process. Company president Joseph Sebring said the plant was “one of the oldest, most outdated and inefficient in the Smithfield system. It will close April 20.

“We recognize layoffs and plant closings are difficult for everyone concerned,” Sebring said in a press release.  “But at the same time we believe this is a necessary business decision.”

Smithfield Foods is the leading processor and marketer of fresh pork and packaged meats in the U.S. The company said its three other plants have the capacity to absorb the loss of its Sioux City facility.