Tyson Fresh Meats Announces Council Bluffs Expansion

COUNCIL BLUFFS, Iowa, Sept. 29, 2016 -- Tyson Fresh Meats, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Tyson Foods, Inc. (NYSE:TSN), is investing $27 million to expand the production capacity of its case-ready beef and pork plant in Council Bluffs, Iowa.

The project will include a 55,000 sq. foot addition for new production lines and warehouse space and increase the plant’s capacity to produce fresh ground beef, beef and pork cuts, and meal kits that are ready for distribution to retail grocers. The expansion is underway and scheduled to be completed in July 2017. It is expected to add 350 jobs, bringing total employment at the plant to more than 1,400.  

“Tyson Fresh Meats’ announcement is great news for the Council Bluffs community,” said Bob Mundt, president and CEO of the Council Bluffs Chamber of Commerce. “Tyson Fresh Meats is not only one of the largest employers in the area, it’s a significant contributor to our local economy. We look forward to the jobs that will be created through this expansion.”

Tyson Foods operates three local plants. In addition to the case-ready facility, the company has a pepperoni plant in Council Bluffs and a bacon plant in Omaha. The company employs approximately 2,000 residents in the Omaha-Council Bluffs metro area.

“This project is great news for our plant, our community and our customers,” said Steve Friedrichsen, complex manager of the Council Bluffs case-ready plant. “We are committed to the Council Bluffs community and look forward adding more jobs with this expansion, while also meeting the growing demand for case-ready products.”

The Council Bluffs case-ready plant generated an annual payroll of $37 million in 2015.

Tyson Foods, Inc.
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: Caroline Ahn, [email protected], 312-614-6047