King Responds to BPI Job Cuts and Factory Closures

Washington, DC- Congressman Steve King released the following statement today after Beef Products Incorporated (BPI) announced it
will cut 86 jobs from its corporate office in South Dakota. This news comes a week after BPI will close three plants in three states- effective May 25 factories in Waterloo, Iowa, Amarillo, Texas, and Garden City, Kansas will be permanently closed.

"BPI's LFTB (lean finely textured beef) has long been a safe, nutritious enhancement to hamburger. Siouxland showed its support for the BPI
family and product several Saturdays ago when 15,000 burgers were served at a picnic to demonstrate local support. Unfortunately, even a huge turnout and broad support from the region were not enough to stave off the closing of three BPI plants, the layoff of 650 plant workers and now the layoff of 86 executives."

"It will be a long hard road back to the market share that BPI had earned. When you buy your hamburger in the store, ask them for the burger with LFTB. When you go to your school board meetings, ask them to be sure high quality LFTB is on the school lunch trays everywhere. Use all social networks with friends and families across the nation to encourage them to request LFTB. It's a small thing to ask to help a great company."

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