Ozark Mountain Poultry Takes Over Batesville Facility

Ozark Mountain Poultry will re-open a recently closed Pilgrim’s Pride facility in Batesville on Nov. 11, employing 250 workers. The company said employment could rise as production capacity increases.

Pilgrim’s Pride announced in August that it would close its Batesville poultry processing plant and lay off 400 workers.

Rogers-based Ozark Mountain Poultry said the Batesville plant will double its production capacity 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, Ozark Mountain Poultry CEO. “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.”

“As part of our long-term growth strategy, Ozark Mountain Poultry continuously evaluates opportunities to better serve our customers, employees and investors,” added Fryar. “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 Ozark Mountain’s specifications.

A ribbon cutting for the facility will take place later this morning (Nov. 8).