Meat+Poultry - November 2018 - 10

BUSINESS NOTES

SMITHFIELD TO INVEST $1.2M
IN KENTUCKY PLANT
Officials with Smithfield, Virginia-based
Smithfield Foods Inc. announced on
Oct. 4, plans to invest $1.2 million to
expand its ham processing plant in
Grayson, Kentucky. The expansion of
the plant, which currently employs
approximately 570 workers, will
add about 40 jobs and increase its
processing capacity by 20 percent,
according to the company.
Jeff Salyer, plant manager, said
the project reflects the growth of the
company and increasing demand for
the Smithfield brand of spiral-cut hams
manufactured at the plant.
"In the last several years, our
growth has allowed us to invest in our
facilities and create new opportunities
for those living in the communities
we call home," he said. As part of the
expansion, the company will be hiring
general production employees as well
as positions for maintenance and
engineering workers. "We are proud
to invest in Grayson and look forward
to welcoming new members of the
Smithfield family at this facility, which
helps put holiday hams and other
mealtime favorites on millions of tables
each year," he said.

MAPLE LEAF ACQUIRES
CHARCUTERIE COMPANY

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MEAT+ POULTRY | 11.18 | www.meatpoultry.com

grow our business, provide additional
product offerings to our customers,
make further inroads into the US
market, and provide more opportunities
to our people. We are truly excited
about the future possibilities."

NIMAN RANCH TEAMS WITH
BLUE RIBBON MEATS
Niman Ranch, a subsidiary of Salisbury,
Maryland-based Perdue Farms, is
forming a partnership with Blue Ribbon
Meats, a Cleveland-based independent
distributor of beef products.
Blue Ribbon Meats will add
Certified Angus Beef Brand Natural
by Niman Ranch to its distribution.
Niman Ranch Certified Humane
pork, lamb and prepared products
will also be added for chefs and
restaurants throughout Ohio, Michigan
and Pennsylvania.
"The family at Blue Ribbon Meats
are part of our growing network
of family-owned premium meat
purveyors who care deeply about
where their products come from," said
Niman Ranch Vice President of Sales,
Kay Cornelius. "It is an important
connection we all share with our family
farmers and ranchers and the livestock
they raise for Niman Ranch."
Blue Ribbon Meats was founded in
1948. It remains a family-owned and
operated company.

Maple Leaf Foods Inc.; Bill Niman

Maple Leaf Foods Inc. has signed
a definitive agreement to acquire
VIAU Foods, a Canadian producer of
premium Italian cooked, dry-cured and
charcuterie meats, for a purchase price
of $215 million, including $30 million in
Maple Leaf stock.
Founded in 1977, VIAU produces
value-added prepared meat products,
including sausages, pizza toppings,
shaved steak, meatballs, dry-cured
pepperoni, pancetta and sliced
chorizo under the VIAU and Fantino
& Mondello brands. The company
markets its products to retailers in
Canada and is a supplier of dried
pepperoni and other pizza toppings

to the North American foodservice
industry. VIAU had sales of $180 million
over the last 12 months.
"VIAU brings a portfolio of leading
brands, a reputation for innovation
and quality, skilled management and
people, and excellent manufacturing
assets," said Michael McCain, president
and CEO of Maple Leaf Foods. "This
acquisition expands Maple Leaf's
position in the growing market for
premium dry-cured and pepperoni
meat products and provides further
production capacity in Quebec, an
important strategic base to grow both
Canadian and US sales. It also enables
VIAU to expand its portfolio to include
raised without antibiotic products,
leveraging Maple Leaf's leadership in
this growing market."
The transaction is expected to close
in December, subject to regulatory
review. VIAU Foods will continue to
be led by its current management team
following the close of the deal. The
company has 470 employees at two
facilities in Laval and Montreal.
"It is with great pride that we join
the Maple Leaf family," said Pat De
Marco, president and chief operating
officer of VIAU. "Our quality and food
safety culture fits perfectly with Maple
Leaf, the company that, for years, we
have regarded as the Canadian industry
leader. The resources that Maple Leaf
brings will allow us to more quickly
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