Strauss Brands Ending Lamb, Veal Production at Wisconsin Plant

Oct. 16, 2023

Franklin, Wis., facility will remain open to process grass-fed beef products, but 127 employees will be laid off with the shutting down of lamb and veal processing.

Andy Hanacek

Strauss Brands, a Waukesha, Wis.-based meat processor, will discontinue production of veal and lamb products at its Franklin, Wis., and will lay off 127 employees as a result, according to news reports.

Strauss notified the Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development of the layoffs at the southeastern Wisconsin facility, reports noted. Layoffs are expected to happen around December 10, and Strauss Brands could not be sure that the laid off workers could be transferred to another role or facility.

Termination decisions for employees who are members of the union will be based on employee seniority, and these employees will have bumping rights, the report said. Termination decisions for employees who are not members of the bargaining unit will be based on business necessity, and those employees will not have bumping rights.

Less than two years ago, the company launched a new look and new brand for its American-raised grass-fed beef products called Grass Rooted, and the Franklin facility will remain open to process grass-fed beef products — just not veal or lamb products any longer.

About the Author

Andy Hanacek | Senior Editor

Andy Hanacek has covered meat, poultry, bakery and snack foods as a B2B editor for nearly 20 years, and has toured hundreds of processing plants and food companies, sharing stories of innovation and technological advancement throughout the food supply chain. In 2018, he won a Folio:Eddie Award for his unique "From the Editor's Desk" video blogs, and he has brought home additional awards from Folio and ASBPE over the years. In addition, Hanacek led the Meat Industry Hall of Fame for several years and was vice president of communications for We R Food Safety, a food safety software and consulting company.