TORONTO -- Maple Leaf Foods (TSX:MFI) has closed its meat processing plant in Moncton, N.B., and transferred production to other locations as part the company's restructuring announced in April.

Toronto-based Maple Leaf, which also makes hot dogs and deli meats, had operated the 48-year-old Moncton plant since 2000.

The closure affects 100 employees.

The company says production has been transferred to higher-efficiency facilities in Winnipeg, Saskatoon and Hamilton, Ont.

Maple Leaf expects to complete its restructuring in a few months, after which it will operate 13 meat plants instead of 22, and two distribution centres instead of 19.

Maple Leaf Foods is Canada's leading producer of packaged meats for consumers with brands sold under its own banner as well as Schneiders and Mina. It employs about 12,000 people and exports to more than 20 markets, including the U.S. and Asia.