Garner, N.C., (August 22, 2012) – In efforts to meet growing consumer demands and drive bottom-line success, Butterball has enhanced the product processing capabilities at its Carthage, MO facility with an expansion of its existing burger line as well as new tray pack and roll stock roast lines. Combined, these Butterball line expansions add approximately 90 positions to the payroll and help streamline operations practices within the plant.
As a proud member of the Carthage community, Butterball has made a commitment to utilize locally-sold products and local contractors wherever possible throughout its expansions, helping to generate a positive economic impact by creating new jobs within the community.
“Butterball is excited to announce three new product line additions at our Carthage plant, which creates nearly 100 new jobs for the local community,” said John Lenahan, complex manager at Butterball’s Carthage facility. “These expansions will not only help meet the growing demand for Butterball products across the U.S., but they’ll also strengthen the existing economic partnership between the company and the state of Missouri.”
Butterball-Carthage, a 1,300 square foot, 600-employee facility has experienced great success from its recent burger line expansion, which started its first shift of production in February 2012. This success has pushed plans for a second shift a year ahead of schedule, which began in June and created approximately 40 new jobs for the plant. The burger line expansion is expected to help Butterball turn out burgers for retail sale at a projected rate of 11 million pounds per year.
Additionally, a new roll stock roast line, which began in May at the Carthage plant, incorporates a new form of packaging created to meet the wants and needs of foodservice customers and adds approximately 20 jobs at the facility. At a projected output of 8 million pounds of turkey breast per year, the roll stock line advances both the machine and space utilization within the Carthage plant while promoting Butterball’s overall sustainability goals.
Lastly, a new tray pack line will begin running in October 2012 to produce packaged ground turkey for consumer markets. The new line, projected to turn out approximately 14 million pounds of ground turkey per year, will add two new shifts and create more than 30 local jobs in the community. The tray pack line is expected to gradually grow its production numbers until it reaches a target output of 20 million pounds per year.
Currently producing both the Sweet Onion Seasoned and Original Seasoned Frozen Turkey Burgers, Butterball-Carthage remains on-track to take control of all Butterball retail burger production by September 2012. Both turkey burger flavors are available for purchase at Carthage Walmart locations and retail stores nationwide. For information on these or other Butterball products please visit www.butterball.com.
About Butterball
Butterball, LLC offers consumers opportunities to celebrate traditional holidays and every day meal occasions with the Butterball branded line of products. As the most recognized name in turkey, the brand represents more than 50 years of cherished memories with consumers by providing quality, great tasting products that make meals something to celebrate every day.
As an industry leader in quality and food safety, the company employs numerous processes to ensure the health of flocks and implements recognized prevention measures to exceed food safety standards in its five plants, located in North Carolina, Arkansas and Missouri. In addition, Butterball has surpassed important workplace safety and health benchmarks set forth by OSHA’s Voluntary Production Program.
Headquartered in Garner, N.C., Butterball, LLC is the largest producer of turkey products in the U.S. – producing 1 billion pounds of turkey each year. The company’s retail and foodservice products are distributed throughout the U.S. and in more than 30 countries.
For more information about Butterball, visit www.butterball.com, or call 1-800-BUTTERBALL (1-800-288-8372) for answers to your turkey preparation questions.