The Cargill Fresno Protein Processing Plant. Google Street View

Cargill Meat Solutions has filed a notice with the state that the privately-held company would lay off 171 employees permanently as of early August at their Fresno plant. A WARN notice dated June 11 gives employees a 60-day notice of pending layoffs.

The layoffs were reported in anticipation of a proposed sale of the Fresno meat processing plant to Central Valley Meat of Hanford. No comment was received about the notice from the Hanford company.

Officials with Central Valley Meat, which also owns Harris Ranch Beef, announced May 7 that they would be purchasing the Cargill facility, though no timetable was announced.

But published reports said the California beef producer aimed to retain as many of the Fresno plant’s 880 employees as possible.

“With this sale, Cargill’s priorities were to place as many of our workers as possible into jobs and to retain the beef processing capacity for California producers,” a Cargill spokesperson said in May.

The acquisition of the Cargill plant represents a “significant expansion” in capacity, according to Central Valley Meat. The purchase will allow the California producer to better respond to market demands and drive efficiencies across its supply chain.

“We’re excited to work alongside cattle producers in the state and region to continue delivering quality beef products for our customers and consumers,” Central Valley Meat CEO and owner Brian Coelho said in a statement. The company already employs about 2000.

Cargill employees will have the opportunity to “explore roles” within Central Valley Meat, the Hanford processor said.