Announcements
Groundbreaking: New Farbest Foods Turkey Processing Plant in Vincennes Industrial Park
August 17, 2012
Vincennes, Ind. – They were already moving dirt in the Vincennes Industrial Park for a new Farbest Foods turkey processing plant as company officials, Vincennes Mayor Joe Yochum and Governor Mitch Daniels attended a groundbreaking ceremony today to welcome the new facility and what it will bring to the region.
Farbest Foods, Inc. announced last December that plans were set for building the 227,000 square foot processing plant in Vincennes as well as a new feed mill nearby.
Expected to begin production in January 2014, the new plant will initially employ 360 people and has the potential of adding significantly more employees with a second shift.
Farbest Foods is one of the largest turkey producers in the U.S., shipping about one million pounds of raw fresh and frozen turkey products daily to brand-name food processors in the U.S. and around the world. After processing and packaging, the branded turkey products go to grocery stores, delis, restaurants, schools and other outlets.
Farbest oversees the growth of its own turkeys – currently more than 10 million per year – and the company currently produces 1,800 tons of turkey feed each day using locallygrown corn, soy beans and other agricultural products.
Local Resources; Support on All Levels
Farbest reports it chose the Vincennes site based on the availability of locally-grown grains; the potential for contracting new turkey-growing farms in the tri-state area; and the support it received from officials of Vincennes, Knox County, and Indiana’s Economic Development Corporation and Department of Agriculture.
In addition to the new processing plant in Vincennes, Farbest will soon begin construction on its second turkey feed mill – JFS Milling – in Bruceville, Indiana, located in northern Knox County. The new mill will employ up to 30 people at full running capacity.
Making the Investment
Farbest reports it is investing nearly $75 million in the Vincennes plant; a projected $20 million in the Bruceville milling facility; and about $54 million in the creation of 60 new turkey-growing farms. An additional 40 turkey-growing farms will be needed when the company launches a second shift.
Farbest says it is building the new processing plant because its home plant in Huntingburg is quickly nearing capacity.
“We couldn’t be happier to be making this investment in Vincennes, Knox County, and the surrounding region,” company president Ted Seger said. “We look forward to a successful partnership that will benefit your communities, the state of Indiana, and customers of Farbest Foods.”
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Farbest Foods Announces New Processing Plant in Vincennes
December 22, 2011
Huntingburg, Ind. – Farbest Foods, Inc., will soon break ground for a new turkey processing plant in the U.S. Highway 41 Industrial Park in Vincennes, IN. Projected completion date is 2014.
Once up and running, the new processing plant will initially employ some 300 people with the potential of employing as many as 700, Farbest Foods reports. In addition, the company is planning the construction of a new feed mill that will have the potential to employ up to 30.
A family-owned operation since 1982, Farbest Foods – based in Huntingburg — is one of the largest turkey companies in the United States. Farbest supplies more than a million pounds of raw fresh and frozen turkey products per day to further processors who prepare and package their own brand-name foods.
The company reports its current facilities for turkey processing, feeding and growing are nearly fully utilized after completing a second shift of operations that was started in 2007. Farbest has been investigating alternatives for its planned expansion for more than a year in an effort to meet growing global customer demand for its products.
Knox County Support “Second to None”
After studying the feasibility of opening a plant – and where in the Tri-State to build it – Farbest announced today it will partner with Vincennes and Knox County on the construction of the new turkey processing plant. The site for the new feed mill has not yet been determined.
“After many visits with Knox County officials, city officials, current employers and others, it was very evident our company was going to receive tremendous local support, county support, support from the Indiana Department of Agriculture and the Indiana Economic Development Corporation,” states Ted Seger, Farbest president. “The positive feedback we’ve received there has been second to none.”
Construction of the turkey processing plant in the Vincennes industrial park will entail an investment of $70 million, Farbest reports. The feed mill will be constructed at a projected cost of $20 million. The feed mill is expected to benefit local farmers as it will create an additional market for local grain.
Local Agricultural Investment
“Each year the new feed mill will be purchasing about five million bushels of locally-grown corn — an estimated $30 million value; 50,000 tons of soybean meal, valued at about $15 million; and a number of other ingredients that are used to produce our pelleted turkey feed,” Seger notes.
In addition, Farbest will create opportunities for farm families in Indiana, Illinois and Kentucky who want to diversify their operations with turkey growing facilities. Currently Farbest oversees the growth of more than 10 million turkeys per year through 170 contract growers throughout the Tri-State.
“We are excited about our company’s steady growth, and we’re very happy to be able to bring job opportunities and agricultural investment into Knox County and this region,” Seger says. “We’re really looking forward to proceeding with this project pending all permit approvals and state and local commitments. Agriculture and related activities are an enormous part of the Indiana economy, and this project will create excellent growth opportunities for all sectors.”
Learn more about Farbest Foods, Inc. at www.farbestfoods.com.