Smithfield Invests $45 Million In Sioux Falls Bacon, Ground Pork Plant
To meet the growing demand for bacon and ground seasoned pork, Smithfield Foods Inc. is investing nearly $45 million at its Sioux Falls, S.D., facility. The upgrades include renovating a high-speed bacon line, a ground seasoned pork operation and the distribution center, and rebuilding a facility that houses more than 8,000 hogs.
With U.S. demand for bacon on the rise, Smithfield is increasing its bacon capacity by upgrading equipment to include high-speed lines. The renovations, on track to be completed by May 2019, will 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, that will be completed by March 2019. The center will feature the latest technology for automated packaging, boxing, labeling and stacking.
“Export markets are key for the continued growth of all U.S. hog producers and pork processors,” said Jason Richter, president of the international group for Smithfield Foods. “This new project further positions the company to meet the demands of consumers in these key markets, benefitting our national and local economies, including creating new jobs in Sioux Falls.”
The hog barn renovation will be complete in early fall 2019, and its design will use the industry leading animal handling practices, including automatic climate control systems.
The upgrades will add 70 new employees at the Sioux Falls facility, which produces deli meats, hot dogs and smoked hams in addition to ready-to-cook bacon and fresh pork.
