JBS Australia to Double Production Capacity at Dinmore Beef Facility

JBS Australia recently started a second shift at its Dinmore beef processing facility in Queensland. The company hired 300 additional staff for the expansion.

According to JBS Australia, a gradual ramp-up of production can be expected over the next 4-5 months, resulting in the site doubling its daily processing capacity.

According to JBS Australia, JBS Dinmore is the southern hemisphere’s largest beef processing plant. It accounted for approximately 10% of Australia’s total beef processing capacity when the company announced that it would invest...

Cargill Purchases Two Meat Plants from Long-Time Partner Ahold Delhaize USA

As U.S. consumer demand for convenient and affordable protein options continues to grow, Cargill announced today that the company has invested in two processing facilities to expand its production and distribution of supermarket case-ready beef and pork to retailers in the Northeast part of the country.

Cargill has purchased case-ready meat plants in North Kingstown, R.I., and Camp Hill, Penn. from Infinity Meat Solutions, subsidiaries of Ahold Delhaize USA. Cargill team members already staff both facilities, stemming from a long-term partnership with Ahold...

Colorado Premium Opens New 175,000-Square-Foot Sous Vide Processing Plant

Colorado Premium – one of the country’s premier protein processors serving retailers, restaurant chains and meal delivery services – today announced the opening of its third processing facility and its first to specialize in fully-cooked sous vide proteins. Located in Greeley, Colorado, the 175,000-square-foot facility includes space for future expansion and will employ up to 275 workers when fully operational.

“Sous vide cooking has increased in popularity as restaurant operators seek to consistently deliver high-quality, great tasting products at scale with less reliance on backhouse labor,”...

Tyson Officially Opens New Bacon Production Facility in Kentucky

It's official—Tyson Foods, Inc. has formally announced the opening of its new 400,000-square-foot production facility located in Bowling Green, Kentucky.

According to the company, the plant will support a significant expansion of its bacon production capabilities and is expected to produce two million pounds per week of Jimmy Dean® and Wright® Brand bacon for retail and foodservice. 

The new facility will create about 450 jobs in southcentral Kentucky, which Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear celebrated.

“The grand opening of Tyson Foods’ cutting-edge facility marks...

Brakebush Brothers,Inc. Acquires Lake Foods to Expand its Processing Capabilities

Foodservice chicken processor Brakebush Brothers, Inc., has announced the acquisition of Lake Foods of Hartwell, GA, a portioning facility for raw, sized, marinated and ready-to-cook chicken products. The agreement was finalized on December 31, 2023.

Both companies share a solid history of business success, dedicated employees with acommitment to quality, and a focus on customer service. “We are very enthusiastic about thisacquisition. The values, expertise, and capabilities of this facility put us in great position to continue to grow our existing customer base and aggressively pursue...

Pure Prairie Poultry Launches New Retail Brand

It's been just shy of two years since the Midwest's premium chicken newcomer, Pure Prairie Poultry™, purchased a state-of-the-art chicken processing facility in Charles City, Iowa, that showcased its air-chilled technology. Now, its launched its charter retail brand, named after the company—Pure Prairie Poultry™, emphasis on "pure." Initially offered at more than 50 locations across Coborn's, Cashwise, and Marketplace stores in Minnesota, North Dakota, and Wisconsin, the company has big plans to grow throughout the Midwest and beyond...

Minerva Foods' Acquisition of Marfrig's Plants to Expand its Capacity by About 44%

Minerva Food’s acquisition of most of Marfrig’s cattle slaughtering and deboning plants in South America will expand its capacity by about 44%, according to the company. Prior to the $1.54 billion deal, which was announced Monday, Minerva Foods could process 29,540 head of cattle per day. 

After Brazilian meatpacker Marfrig sold 16 of its slaughtering plants to its rival Minerva, Minerva's cattle slaughtering and deboning capacity swelled to 42,439 head per day. This will result in an excess of Brazilian real (BRL) 50 billion to the company's current...

Maryland Governor Announces Hahn’s of Westminster Expansion, Bringing New Jobs to Carroll County

Governor Wes Moore today announced that Hahn Bros., Inc., also known as Hahn’s of Westminster, is growing its headquarters and manufacturing operations in Carroll County with plans to double its workforce in the region. The company has purchased 10 acres of land at the corner of Maryland 482 and Panther Drive in Hampstead, where it plans to move and build a new 54,000 square-foot facility.

“Hahn’s is not only known for its outstanding food products, but also for its excellent customer service over the years...

BAADER Acquires Majority Stake in Food Processing Software Company

Food processing machinery giant BAADER has acquired a majority stake in EMYDEX Technology, a company involved in software solutions in the same sector.

Specifically, EMYDEX creates scalable Manufacturing Execution System (MES) software for the food processing sector.

“Combining the strengths of both companies will mean enhanced digital capabilities for BAADER and accelerated growth and market reach for EMYDEX,” BAADER said in a press release.

Petra Baader, CEO of BAADER Global SE, expressed her delight at the successful acquisition, stating, "This significant step promises to enhance our portfolio offerings...

Slaughterhouse Cleaning Crews Unionize at US Firm Fined for Hiring Kids

More than 200 workers who clean meat plants have unionized after their employer paid U.S. fines for hiring children to do dangerous jobs sanitizing slaughterhouses, the United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW) International Union said on Thursday.

The union said it now represents Packer Sanitation Services Inc (PSSI) employees who clean a Smithfield Foods plant in Mason City, Iowa, and a National Beef Packing Co plant in Liberal, Kansas.

The UFCW continues to organize at other facilities after the 220 PSSI employees...

USDA Launches Effort to Strengthen Substantiation of Animal-Raising Claims

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced today that it is implementing a multi-step effort aimed at strengthening the substantiation of animal-raising claims. This action builds on the significant work USDA has already undertaken to protect consumers from false and misleading labels and to implement President Biden’s Executive Order on Promoting Competition in the American economy.

“Consumers should be able to trust that the label claims they see on products bearing the USDA mark of inspection are truthful and accurate,” said Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack. “USDA is taking... 

AAMP Welcomes Kentucky Association Of Meat Processors As State Affiliate

The American Association of Meat Processors (AAMP), North America's largest meat trade association, welcomes the Kentucky Association of Meat Processors (KAMP) as its newest state affiliate. AAMP now has 30 state and regional associations among its affiliates.

“KAMP was formed to create a network of meat processors operating in Kentucky to allow for better communication of information pertinent to our industry, the open exchange of ideas and challenges, and closer ties between processors. KAMP will work to represent processors across the state in helping solve issues that face the industry,”...

NW Natural Begins Producing RNG at Second Tyson Foods Facility

NW Natural, a subsidiary of NW Natural Holding Company, and BioCarbN, a developer and operator of environmental infrastructure projects, began production at a second renewable natural gas (RNG) facility, as part of an innovative project partnership with Tyson Foods.

The facility is located in Dakota City, Nebraska, with NW Natural investing approximately $12 million to convert methane captured from the facility’s operations into RNG to heat homes and businesses. The first project began at Tyson’s Lexington, Nebraska operations in January 2022...

Post Holdings’ Michael Foods Business Announces Expansion of Norwalk, Iowa Manufacturing Facility

Post Holdings, Inc, a consumer packaged goods holding company, announced expansion plans for its Michael Foods manufacturing and distribution facility in Norwalk, Iowa.

The 150,000 square-foot facility, which processes eggs and precooked egg products, opened in 2019. The expansion will add approximately 132,000 square-feet and is expected to create an estimated 186 new jobs. Construction is expected to begin in July 2023 with targeted completion in December 2024.

“We are excited our continued growth led us to seek expansion in Norwalk...