Farbest Second Turkey Plant Officially Opened

US - A new turkey processing plant has been officially opened by Farbest Foods in Knox County, Indiana, increasing the company's processing capacity to more than 12 million turkeys per year. The new line is scheduled to start rolling next week.
calendar icon 4 December 2013
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One month ahead of schedule - and right on budget - the new Farbest Foods' turkey plant is now open for business, reports MyWabashValley.

Officials cut the ribbon on the Knox County facility on 2 December, then showed off the state-of-the-art inside.

The 60-acre site is just part of Farbest's $100 million-plus investment in the Knox County community, and the company is excited to get the 300 new employees to work.

Farbest Foods chose welcome to Knox County "because that's where our company roots are. Right here in Indiana," said Ted Seger, president of Farbest.

Farbest's new home will process thousands of turkeys a day, helping to satisfy the nation's growing hunger for the other white meat.

"This will be the most highly automated turkey processing plant - I venture to say North America, if not the world," said Mr Seger.

And the Knox County community is getting a big boost, too. Farbest also built a new feed mill in Bruceville and a breeder hub in Bicknell. Plus, the animals will be fed locally-grown corn and soybeans; something that could put Southern Indiana on the map.

"Farbest though is an important layer in a very bright future for agriculture in Indiana," said Indiana Lt. Gov. Sue Ellspermann. "Farbest is just a tremendous economic engine for Southern Indiana and is now the fourth largest turkey processing in the country, which is very amazing and I think deserves a round of applause."

When it comes to job creation, 300 employees will man this state-of-the-art plant, and Farbest is partners with 54 farm families.

Officials hope a successful agri-business here will show others that the Hoosier State is the place to be.

"We just congratulate and thank Farbest for the great work they're doing here, for the technology that they have brought to this plant in addition to the jobs to really create a long lasting impact in both the industry they're in and the community in which they're located," said Lt. Gov. Ellspermann.

Mr Seger added: "It was the right decision to come to Knox County."

Farbest is headquartered in Dubois county, and next year, the two facilities will process more than 12.5 million turkeys, according to MyWabashValley. The Knox County plant starts producing on 9 December.

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