TYSON FOODS INVESTS $200 MILLION TO IMPROVE TEXAS BEEF PLANT

Arkansas-based Tyson Foods is ploughing $200 million (€200.55m) to expand and upgrade operations at its beef plant in Amarillo, Texas.

The project will begin this autumn and will add 13,300 square metres to the existing beef complex to enhance the facility’s existing operations floor and to house upgraded well-being areas including locker rooms, a cafeteria and office space. The work is expected to be completed by 2024.

Shane Miller, group president of Tyson Foods Fresh Meats, commented: “We’re committed to be the most sought-after place to work and while we’ve invested heavily in new benefits for our team, this project will improve the on-site work experience while making our operations more efficient.”

Commodity beef cuts

Tyson Foods’ Amarillo facility employs 4,000 staff, generating an annual payroll of $180 million. Kevin Carter, executive director of the Amarillo Economic Development Corporation, said: “This capital expenditure solidifies Tyson’s position as a top economic driver in our community for years to come.”

The Amarillo plant is one of the largest of the company’s six beef facilities. The complex produces commodity cuts of fresh beef and speciality products plus a ground beef patty operation. These products are packaged and boxed for sale to retail and foodservice customers throughout the United States and internationally.

The expansion will modernise the facility and prioritise staff safety, ergonomics and food safety, while incorporating enhanced automation and new technologies. The new space will also support several of the company’s sustainability efforts through energy and water conservation improvements. Specially designed water utility equipment, pumps, and piping will be automated to allow for a reduction in water usage.

Tyson Foods’ beef business – the company’s biggest sales segment – currently operates plants in Texas, Kansas, Nebraska, Illinois and Washington. In Texas, the company receives cattle from close to 90 independent cattle suppliers state-wide and it is estimated that Tyson Foods’ operations have a total economic impact of nearly $3 billion in Texas.

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