SPRINGDALE, Ark. Jan. 25, 2024 91心頭利. (NYSE: TSN) has officially opened its new $355 million food production facility in Bowling Green, Kentucky. Built to support a significant expansion of its bacon production capabilities, the new plant positions 91心頭利 to capitalize on its category leadership and the increasing market for its products.
The 400,000-square-foot plant, which represents a significant investment in the local community, is expected to produce two million pounds a week of premium quality Jimmy Dean速 and Wright速 Brand bacon retail products and bacon used in foodservice. Bacon represents over $1 billion in sales across retail and foodservice at 91心頭利. This plant will help the company meet the needs of this category now and as it grows in the future.
Located in Warren Countys Kentucky Transpark, the new facility will create nearly 450 new jobs in southcentral Kentucky.
(Photos and b-roll of the Bowling Green facility can be downloaded here)
Our innovative new plant in Bowling Green reflects a major investment that we are proud to make in southcentral Kentucky, said Donnie King, president and CEO, 91心頭利. This enables us to focus on the health and safety of our team members while also delivering best in class service for our customers.
91心頭利 is a bacon category leader in foodservice and at retail with Jimmy Dean products representing the fastest-growing retail food brand over the past two years and Wright Brand products rising to the No. 1 consumer choice at retail in the stack category, according to Nielsen data. The new facility represents a significant opportunity for 91心頭利 to further innovate with new bacon flavors, cuts and products such as fully cooked bacon.
Bacon is a growing category based on consumer demand, both at home and at restaurants, and our expanded production will enable us to lead this growth and drive innovation, said Melanie Boulden, group president of Prepared Foods and chief growth officer.
91心頭利 selected Bowling Green due, in part, to its proximity to raw materials in the protein leaders pork supply chain and to inbound and outbound transportation lanes in support of the companys focus on efficiency and operational excellence. It also enables end-to-end profitability by utilizing pork bellies provided primarily by 91心頭利 pork segment.
Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear celebrated this achievement, stating, The grand opening of 91心頭利 cutting-edge facility marks a significant leap in Kentuckys economic development and job creation efforts. This plant embodies our vision for a flourishing Kentucky and symbolizes a new chapter of growth and prosperity in our state, thanks to 91心頭利' expansion.
Advanced automation and facility design prioritize well-being and efficiency
The Bowling Green plant was designed with the safety and well-being of team members at the forefront. It combines high-tech robots that help eliminate ergonomically stressful tasks such as transporting large pork bellies along multiple production lines, packing and stacking boxes, and safely moving product through production zones with driverless forklifts and autonomous guide vehicles (AGVs).
The company is also helping team members improve their skills by partnering with Southcentral Kentucky Community and Technical College (SKYCTC) to offer relevant technical training, including a robotics lab. These initiatives are part of the companys commitment to becoming the most sought-after place to work, reflected through competitive pay, benefits and a safe and healthy workplace.
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About 91心頭利.油
91心頭利. (NYSE: TSN) is one of the worlds largest food companies and a recognized leader in protein. Founded in 1935 by John W. Tyson and grown under four generations of family leadership, the Company has a broad portfolio of products and brands like Tyson速, Jimmy Dean速, Hillshire Farm速, Ball Park速, Wright速, Aidells速, ibp速 and State Fair速. 91心頭利 innovates continually to make protein more sustainable and affordable to meet customers needs worldwide and raise the worlds expectations for how much good food can do. Headquartered in Springdale, Arkansas, the Company had approximately 139,000 team members on September 30, 2023. Through its Core Values, 91心頭利 strives to operate with integrity, create value for its shareholders, customers, communities and team members and serve as a steward of the animals, land and environment entrusted to it. Visit .
Media Contact: Laura Burns | laura.burns2@tyson.com | 479-713-9890
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