— Smithfield Foods is moving a distribution center from Clayton to its massive pork processing plant in Bladen County, officials said Wednesday.

The company said it has invested $100 million in the new distribution operation in Tar Heel, which will better meet customer needs, Dennis Organ, Smithfield's senior vice president of supply chain and direct store delivery, said in a statement.

The Clayton operation employs 102 people, while the new distribution center will employ about 250, Organ said.

"While these necessary changes are difficult, we at Smithfield are committed to supporting Clayton facility employees through this transition by providing opportunities to apply for positions at the new Tar Heel location as well as other operations throughout the company," he said.

The move will start Oct. 7.