Smithfield to invest $45 million into Sioux Falls facilities
Smithfield will rennovate a high-speed bacon line, a ground seasoned pork operation, and the distribution center, as well as the rebuilding of a facility that houses more than 8,000 hogs.
The company that it is taking this step in order to meet the increasing domestic demand for bacon and international demand for ground seasoned pork, a growing category in export markets.
“At Smithfield, we’re committed to our continual investment in our facilities and farms in Sioux Falls,” said Kenneth M. Sullivan, president and chief executive officer for Smithfield Foods. “In the past five years, we have invested more than $73 million into our operations in South Dakota, which positively impacts the local economy. With these new projects, we’re proud to further strengthen our presence in this state.”
Smithfield will upgrade its equipment for producing bacon by including high-speed lines, which will allow the company to meet the high demand for bacon in the US. The company's goal with the renovations, on track to be completed by May 2019, is to improve the volume, yield, and quality of the bacon produced by the facility.
Changes to Smithfield’s ground seasoned pork operation will bolster its ability to support increased demand by export markets and include a renovation to the existing distribution center, which is currently underway and on schedule to be completed by March 2019. The company added that this will be the most modern operation in the industry, incorporating the latest technology for automated packaging, boxing, labeling, and stacking.
Smithfield is also renovating its hog barn, which will be complete in early Fall 2019. The new barn’s features and design will reflect leading animal handling practices, including automatic climate control systems.
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