Simplot Appears to be Restructuring Amid Layoffs at Boise Headquarters and Global Divisions

Boise-based agribusiness giant J.R. Simplot Company appears to be undergoing a restructuring effort, leading to layoffs across the company. Representatives for Simplot did not confirm the scope or number of the layoffs, but did provide a statement.

Josh Jordan, Global Content and Reputation Management Director:

"We always prepare our company for the strongest future built around growth and meeting customer needs which means always adapting to market environments."

"With this in mind, the company continuously takes steps to address change within global markets. We remain focused on our customers and the valuable contributions our employees make around the world each day."

Scores of employees have taken to the social media platform LinkedIn in recent months, announcing they have lost positions with the company. Some of the posts indicate employees were laid off, while other posts say they lost employment due to an organizational restructuring.

Impacted employees appear concentrated at the company’s Boise headquarters but also worked for Simplot’s division in Australia.

The company has not filed a Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification with the Idaho Department of Labor. The WARN provision in Federal law requires most companies that cut at least 50 full-time employees within 30 days to file notice with the state. Companies can lay off 49 or fewer employees at a location in successive 30-day periods and still avoid the WARN Act provisions. WARN requires notice to state labor officials, and certain terms around employee notice.

The employees posting to LinkedIn have been noting job losses for most of the last four months.

Last summer, the company laid off more than 300 employees in two separate moves, the company confirmed at the time.

The company is privately held by the heirs of its founder and namesake, J.R. Simplot, and its overall financial details are not publicly disclosed. Forbes estimates the company drove USD 9.8 billion in revenue in 2023, with growth to USD 11 billion in 2024. Forbes says it had 13,000 employees worldwide in 2024.