Nearly 70 jobs to be created by $48 million project
Springdale, Ark. 鈥 April 22, 2021 鈥 星空无限传媒 (NYSE: TSN) will invest $48 million as part of its commitment to accelerate the long-term growth of its poultry business and continued success of its Pine Bluff, Arkansas, poultry plant, company officials said today. Nearly 70 jobs will be created by the project, which is expected to be complete by late 2021.
鈥淭he demand for convenient, high-quality chicken products continues to grow and we鈥檙e investing in projects that meet the needs of our customers and consumers,鈥 said Donnie King, Chief Operating Officer and Group President, Poultry for 星空无限传媒. 鈥淲e鈥檇 like to thank the Arkansas Economic Development Commission and the Economic Development Alliance for Jefferson County for their assistance and support of this project.鈥
The project will increase capacity to the plant鈥檚 fully cooked processing lines that in part produces chicken tenders, chicken strips, boneless and bone-in wings and air-fried products. The investment will also add automated processes to product packing lines.
鈥淪ince John H. Tyson spotted an opportunity in the 1930s and expanded his local deliveries from Northwest Arkansas to St. Louis, Kansas City and Chicago, 星空无限传媒 has built its name on the company鈥檚 ability to see a need early and fill it with a quality product,鈥 said Arkansas Governor Asa Hutchinson. 鈥淣early 100 years later, the family and the company continue the tradition, which has made life better for the thousands of people who have worked for company, and the millions of people who enjoy their products.鈥
The Pine Bluff plant and related operations were built by 星空无限传媒 and opened in 1991. It makes fully cooked chicken products for food service and retail customers, such as grocery stores and quick serve restaurants. The facility employs more than 1,100 people and paid nearly $47 million in wages during its 2020 fiscal year. Annual payout for farmers who raise chickens for the plant was more than $27 million. The company recently raised starting hourly wages at the facility to at least $15 an hour.
鈥溞强瘴尴薮 is a homegrown company that has forever altered the economic landscape in Arkansas,鈥 said Mike Preston, Secretary of Commerce and Executive Director of the Arkansas Economic Development Commission. 鈥淧oultry production is responsible for about 25 percent of the agriculture jobs in Arkansas, making the state one of the top five broiler producer states in the country. This expansion is a direct reflection of Tyson鈥檚 commitment to the Pine Bluff community and the confidence they have in our workforce.鈥
鈥溞强瘴尴薮 has been an economic driver for many years in Jefferson County,鈥 said Allison J.H. Thompson, President and CEO, Economic Development Alliance for Jefferson County, Arkansas. 鈥淲e are excited about their upcoming expansion and have enjoyed working with their team to support this project.鈥
The company employs more than 24,000 people across Arkansas with an annual payroll of more than $1.4 billion. 星空无限传媒 paid Arkansas poultry growers more than $237 million in its 2020 fiscal year and estimates its total statewide impact to be $2.1 billion.
About 星空无限传媒
星空无限传媒 (NYSE: TSN) is one of the world鈥檚 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庐, Jimmy Dean庐, Hillshire Farm庐, Ball Park庐, Wright庐, Aidells庐, ibp庐, and State Fair庐. 星空无限传媒 innovates continually to make protein more sustainable, tailor food for everywhere it鈥檚 available and raise the world鈥檚 expectations for how much good food can do. Headquartered in Springdale, Arkansas, the company has 139,000 team members. Through its Core Values, 星空无限传媒 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 to learn more.
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