In the name of efficiency, and international competition, J.R. Simplot is building a new potato processing plant. It will use only 250 employees. The problem is that the new highly efficient Simplot potato factory will replace three existing plants (in Nampa, Caldwell & Aberdeen), resulting in 800 Idahoans losing their jobs. That’s a net loss of 550 jobs.
East Idaho doesn’t have a big population so the job loses will hit hard: “It’s going to have a negative impact on Nampa and Caldwell and the whole country. We’re encouraged that they will remain in Caldwell, but certainly concerned about the overall impact of job loss.”-Steve Fultz, Caldwell Economic Development Council
J.R. Simplot officials say it’s necessary to build such an efficient factory, because global competition in the food market is getting tougher. In fact potato prices for this years potato season have fallen to the point that Idaho farmers will be lucky to break even.
At least Simplot employees have been given a decent heads up; it’ll be at least two years before the new super efficient potato processing plant will be completed.
J.R. Simplot has been streamlining operations in Idaho since the 1990s. Simplot’s corporate headquarters used to be in Chubbuck, Idaho. But they closed it down and moved to Boise right after I moved to Chubbuck.
Their Chubbuck HQ was replaced with the TJ Maxx/IHOP strip mall.
Former location of J.R. Simplot Corporate HQ, Chubbuck, Idaho
The metal awnings/canopies covering the Simplot HQ entryway can now be seen in front of the Pocatello City Hall.
Ex Simplot Chubbuck HQ canopies adding charecter to the otherwise drab Pocatello City Hall