Vikon Farms to employ more than 170 in Arkadelphia plant

Officials with Vikon Farms, a poultry processing company based in Azusa, Calif., announced Monday (Aug. 12) plans to locate a new processing facility in Arkadelphia, which will employ more than 172 people within four years.

Vikon will invest $5.4 million in the facility, formerly home to Petit Jean Poultry. In addition to the jobs created directly by the new processing facility, Vikon will also contract with a significant number of growers from El Dorado and Union County along with a Vikon supported hatchery in Prescott, according to a statement from the Arkansas Economic Development Commission.

Vikon produces a specialty breed of chicken that serves numerous Asian markets.

"We are excited to be here,” said Quan Phu, president and CEO of Vikon Farms, said in the statement. “We appreciate the extensive amount of support from the Arkadelphia Economic Development Alliance and Arkansas Economic Development Commission. Our expansion to Arkansas could not have been done without the unwavering assistance of the Arkadelphia, El Dorado, and Prescott communities.”

Vikon Farms raises chickens that are free-range and naturally grown. The poultry maintains an all grain diet with no hormones or antibiotics added.
 
“Vikon Farms is doing more than bringing jobs to Arkadelphia; they’re building agricultural partnerships with growers in our region,” Gov. Mike Beebe said.  “I know they will be satisfied with the dedicated workforce they will find in Arkadelphia and Clark County as they establish their Arkansas operation.”
 
Vikon Farms will be the first company to locate in Arkadelphia and Clark County since the passage of the community’s Economic Development Tax.