SPRINGDALE, Ark., April 14, 2016 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Officials for Tyson Foods, Inc. (NYSE: TSN ) yesterday proposed building a new processing facility near its existing poultry plant in Green Forest, Arkansas. A group of Tyson Foods employees presented the new plant concept, valued at approximately $136 million, to the Finance Committee of the Carroll County Quorum Court Wednesday. The project would create about 85 jobs once it is fully operational.
The project is contingent in part on the approval of certain tax abatements from the Carroll County Quorum Court and sales and use tax credits from the Arkansas Economic Development Commission (AEDC).
“This project would allow us to better serve our foodservice customers through improved product mix and greater efficiencies,” said Noel White, president of poultry for Tyson Foods. “This is the first new plant construction project Tyson Foods has proposed to build in a number of years and we’re hopeful we can partner with Carroll County and the AEDC to invest in our home state.”
The Green Forest plant currently produces a variety of partially cooked chicken products for foodservice and retail customers, including nuggets and portioned fillets. The new project will increase the facility’s partially cooked capacity, increasing efficiency by reducing transportation of products to other locations for further processing. The development of the new plant would not change the number of chickens grown for operations in Carroll County, Arkansas.
The project would be new construction of more than 200,000 square feet across the street from the existing plant. Plans call for the facilities to be connected by a corridor. Improvements would include new equipment and production lines, as well as processes and technology designed to benefit food safety, quality and workplace safety. Construction could begin as early as summer and the project would be completed in late 2017.
Originally built by Franz Foods in 1959, Tyson Foods purchased the Green Forest plant in 1967. The facility currently employs more than 1,250 people, generating an annual payroll of more than $37 million. Tyson Foods paid family farmers more than $29 million during its 2015 fiscal year to grow chickens to supply its Carroll County operations in Green Forest and Berryville.
About Tyson Foods Tyson Foods, Inc. (NYSE: TSN ), with headquarters in Springdale, Arkansas, is one of the world's largest food companies with leading brands such as Tyson ®, Jimmy Dean ®, Hillshire Farm ®, Sara Lee ®, Ball Park ®, Wright ®, Aidells ® and State Fair ®. It's a recognized market leader in chicken, beef and pork as well as prepared foods, including bacon, breakfast sausage, turkey, lunchmeat, hot dogs, pizza crusts and toppings, tortillas and desserts. The company supplies retail and foodservice customers throughout the United States and approximately 130 countries. Tyson Foods was founded in 1935 by John W. Tyson, whose family has continued to lead the business with his son, Don Tyson, guiding the company for many years and grandson, John H. Tyson, serving as the current chairman of the board of directors. The company currently has approximately 113,000 Team Members employed at more than 400 facilities and offices in the United States and around the world. Through its Core Values, Code of Conduct and Team Member Bill of Rights, Tyson Foods strives to operate with integrity and trust and is committed to creating value for its shareholders, customers and Team Members. The company also strives to be faith-friendly, provide a safe work environment and serve as stewards of the animals, land and environment entrusted to it.
Media Contact: Worth Sparkman, worth.sparkman@tyson.com or 479-290-6358
Investor Contact: Jon Kathol, jon.kathol@tyson.com or 479-290-4235
