Ozark Mountain Poultry Expands With Opening of Batesville Facility

Ozark Mountain Poultry of Rogers said today that its newly-acquired operation in Batesville will open Nov. 11.

OMP will employ approximately 250 people from the Batesville area when it begins operations and anticipates employment numbers will rise as production capacity increases.

OMP currently produces more than 1.5 million pounds of antibiotic free poultry per week at its Rogers facility for the restaurant industry and its consumer-based brand, Forester Farmer’s Market.

With the addition of Batesville, that number will double to approximately 3 million pounds per week.

“We are thrilled to be part of the Batesville community and to expand operations in our home state,” said Dr. Ed Fryar, CEO of OMP, said in a news release. “Our goal when we founded the company 13 years ago was to provide affordable, premium, quality chicken to families. With the purchase of the Batesville site, we will be able to meet the growing demands of consumers for healthy, antibiotic free chicken.”

Pilgrim’s Pride announced plans to close the Batesville facility earlier this year. “As part of our long-term growth strategy, Ozark Mountain Poultry continuously evaluates opportunities to better serve our customers, employees and investors,” Fryar added in the news release. “We believe the acquisition of the Batesville facility was a smart decision for our business and those we serve.”

Company leaders anticipate a two-week transition period to retrofit the facility with new equipment, perform needed building renovations and allow additional time for local family farmers to raise the antibiotic free chicken to OMP specifications.

OMP plans to hold a ribbon cutting on Friday, Nov. 8, to celebrate the facility opening.