Conagra Brands will spend $50 million over the next four years to expand and upgrade its frozen food plant in Russellville, Arkansas. The announcement was made during a recent Arkansas Valley Alliance for Economic Development event.
According to Congressman Steve Womack, the project is expected to create 60 jobs. The investment by Chicago, Illinois-headquartered Conagra follows a $100 million expenditure made at the factory in 2012 to facilitate production of Bertolli and P.F. Chang’s ready meals.
Manager Joe Wilson said the new investment is being made to enhance capabilities for value-added product manufacturing as well as provide components for other Conagra plants. The plan includes installation of equipment to dice whole-muscle chicken meat bound for sister plants where Marie Callender’s pot pies and Healthy Choice soups are packed. Total output will reportedly be in the range of 10 million pounds per annum.
Conagra currently employs approximately 1,350 people in the Russellville area, where it has operated since 1965.
DeLu Jackson New VP
DuLu JacksonIn other news, it was announced that consumer packaged goods marketing veteran DeLu Jackson has joined Conagra Brands as vice president of precision marketing, a newly created position. Reporting to Darren Serrao, chief growth officer, Jackson is charged with leading marketing transformation and demand acceleration efforts through increased data intelligence, agility, always-on content and dynamic measurement.
“DeLu has achieved incredible results as an integrated marketing leader and he will play a vital role in transforming our marketing function so that our brands are reaching consumers in the ways their connectivity and lifestyles dictate,” said Serrao. “As we focus on growing our brands and business, he will help accelerate our progress by partnering with our teams involved with insights, innovation and marketing strategies to create breakthrough programs.”
Jackson came to Conagra from Kellogg Company, where was vice president of digital for about seven months. Prior to that he worked in executive digital marketing capacities at McDonald’s Corporation, Nissan, Audi and Subaru over ten-year period.
