Poultry & Meat

Green Light for Expansion of Pilgrim’s Kentucky Plant

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Pilgrim’s Pride Corporation, a leading processor of value-added chicken products in the USA, Puerto Rico and Mexico, has received state government approval to proceed with a $24 million expansion program at its poultry processing complex in Mayfield, Kentucky.

The project, which will begin in October of 2016, includes the removal or relocation of existing processing equipment and the installation of new machinery to enable the transition of the facility from a fresh foodservice and debone operation to a debone portioning plant by July of 2017. This will allow for the processing of larger birds and provide greater efficiency and better service for key customers. Upon completion of the project, the facility will increase its live weight production by about 1 million pounds per week. It will also create more than 155 additional jobs and require construction of 75 additional chicken houses by local family farms.

Pilgrims Poultry

“We’re excited about the opportunities the Mayfield expansion will provide to our customers and the local community,” said Bill Lovette, Pilgrim’s chief executive officer. “This investment is a key part of our recently announced cash flow reinvestment plan to provide key customers with opportunities to accelerate sales and grow their businesses with a trusted partner.”

The expansion is a component of Pilgrim’s $190 million strategic capital investment plan to enhance growth with major clients, reinvest cash flow back into the business and improve efficiencies.

“Pilgrim’s, a strong corporate partner in our state since 1990, has grown its business across the globe and has become a well-respected household name,” said Kentucky Governor Matt Bevin. “We are thankful for the company’s reinvestment in Graves County. It will have tremendous impact on southwest Kentucky through new jobs, additional production and increased sales for area growers, farmers and feed suppliers.”

Headquartered in Greeley, Colorado, USA, Pilgrim’s Pride Corporation is majority-owned by JBS S.A. of São Paulo, Brazil. It employs approximately 39,000 people and operates chicken processing plants and prepared foods facilities in 12 states, Puerto Rico and Mexico. Finished products are primarily distributed to through retail and foodservice outlets.

Pilgrims fully cooked