Tyson Automating Meat-Processing Plants, Reducing Labor Costs, Improving Efficiency

Tyson Foods employees are seen wearing protective masks and standing between plastic dividers at the company’s poultry processing plant in Camilla, Ga., in a file photo. Tyson Foods via AP

Tyson Foods is planning on investing over $1.3 billion over the next three years in new automation capabilities, according to an announcement on Thursday, as part of the company’s efforts to improve savings and reduce labor costs.

Tyson, the largest American meat company by sales, said that it has invested around $70 million this year and will invest more than $500 million in 2022 as it automates many labor-intensive sections like deboning chicken products. This investment is equivalent to replacing 2,000 jobs, according to David Bray, group president of Tyson’s poultry division.