More than 300 jobs to be created by $84 million project
SPRINGDALE, Ark.
,
Aug. 16, 2017
(GLOBE NEWSWIRE) --
Tyson Foods
(NYSE:TSN) will invest
$84 million
as part of its commitment to the continued success of its
Union City, Tennessee
poultry plant, company officials said today. More than 300 jobs will be created by the project, which is expected to be complete by mid-2019.
“Customer and consumer demand for protein, especially chicken, is increasing so we’re investing in projects that build on our strengths, expand our capabilities and increase our capacity,” said
Doug Ramsey
, group president of poultry. “Expansions like this position us to grow and support our customers.”
The project, set to begin this fall, will increase capacity to the plant’s existing harvest area, add processing lines, as well as upgrades to supporting operations at the hatchery, feed mill and in transportation. About 25,000 square feet will be added to the plant facility.
“Tyson has been an integral part of
Obion County
for 20 years and I’m pleased to see the company move forward with this 300-job expansion in Union City,”
Tennessee
Governor
Bill Haslam
said. “With more than 1,000 employees in
West Tennessee
, Tyson’s impact on the community extends to the local farmers supported by its operations. I’d like to thank Tyson for its continued commitment to
West Tennessee
and bringing us closer to making
Tennessee
the
No. 1
location in the Southeast for high quality jobs.”
In order to meet the new capacity of the facility,
Tyson Foods
estimates nearly 200 more broiler chicken houses will need to be built in northwestern
Tennessee
within the next two years. Independent farmers who may want to grow for
Tyson Foods
are encouraged to visit the
Grow With Tyson
website to learn more about the process and make initial contact with the company.
“We’re pleased to be able to invest in such a great community,” Ramsey said. “We’d like to thank the
Tennessee Valley Authority
, the
Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development
, and the
Northwest Tennessee Economic Development Council
for their assistance and support for this project.”
The
Union City
plant and related operations were built by
Tyson Foods
and opened in 1997. It makes partially fried chicken products for food service. The facility employs more than 1,000 people and paid nearly
$32 million
in wages during its 2016 fiscal year. Annual payout for farmers who raise chickens for the plant was more than
$15 million
.
The company also operates facilities in
Goodlettsville
,
Newbern
and
Shelbyville, Tennessee
employing about 5,000 in the state with an annual payroll of more than
$181 million
.
Tyson Foods
paid
Tennessee
poultry growers more than
$61 million
in its 2016 fiscal year and estimates its total statewide impact to be
$313 million
.
About
Tyson Foods, Inc.
Tyson Foods Inc.
(NYSE:TSN) is one of the world’s largest food companies and a recognized leader in protein. Founded in 1935 by
John W. Tyson
and grown under three generations of family leadership, the company has a broad portfolio of products and brands like
Tyson®, Jimmy Dean®, Hillshire Farm®, Ball Park®, Wright®, Aidells®, ibp® and State Fair®.
Tyson Foods
innovates continually to make protein more sustainable, tailor food for everywhere it’s available and raise the world’s expectations for how much good food can do. Headquartered in
Springdale, Arkansas
, the company has 114,000 team members. Through its Core Values,
Tyson Foods
strives to operate with integrity, create value for its shareholders, customers, communities and team members and serve as stewards of the animals, land and environment entrusted to it. Visit
www.tysonfoods.com
.
Media Contact Worth
Sparkman
, 479-290-6358,
worth.sparkman@tyson.com
Source:
Tyson Foods Inc