Tyson Joins Others to Form Web Network

Springdale-based poultry giant Tyson Foods Inc. has joined forces with fast-food giant McDonald’s Corp., Cargill Inc. and Sysco Corp. to form an Internet network.

The business-to-business Web site venture called electronic Foodservice Network (eFS) will enable suppliers, distributors and operations of multiple food service outlets to cut costs by more efficiently managing the flow of food products to the marketplace.

The network should be in place early next year. It will be headquartered in Chicago.

While the four companies have an equal stake in the venture, they are seeking other equity partners.

Financial terms of the venture were not disclosed.

Tyson’s is the world’s largest poultry producer. Cargill is the nation’s largest privately held company, and Sysco Corp. is the largest U.S. marketer and distributor of food service products.