Tyson Foods Adds Production Line At Emporia, Kan., Plant

Tyson Foods recently opened a new processing line at its prepared foods plant in Emporia, Kan., in an effort to increase capacity in its growing prepared food segment following the merger of Hillshire Brands.

The $3 million expansion created an additional line that will make a product for a national foodservice customer and created about 16 jobs.

The Emporia plant is one of Tyson Foods’ specialty meat plants that makes value-added raw cuts of beef, pork and chicken for food service and retail – both branded and private label.

Earlier this year, Tyson Foods won a bidding war to acquire Hillshire Brands for $8.55 billion. Springdale-based Tyson was in a “food fight” with Pilgrim’s Pride for the coveted Hillshire food company.

The $63 per share cash offer was the largest in Tyson Foods’ history, but executives said the megadeal presented efficiencies to be gained from the combined operations, a more streamlined pipeline of raw products to finished products, and more shelf space in front of the American consumer.