March 25, 2014

Two US meat organisations to merge

A merger of the two of the US' largest meat industry organisations, the North American Meat Association (NAMA) and the American Meat Institute (AMI), is one step closer to being reality and if approved by AMI in April, the merger will be effective January 1, 2015.

Discussions of a potential merger began last September when a committee or representatives from each organisation was formed to discuss how a new organisation would function to serve its members.

NAMA was formed in 2012 when the North American Meat Processors Association and the National Meat Association consolidated. Currently, NAMA represents more than 600 companies in the US, Canada and Mexico and provides advocacy, regulatory and educational services to its members.

NAMA Co-Presidents Tony Gahn, Jr., and Mike Hesse welcomed the vote saying the merger will "best serve" members and acknowledging that the "time has come for the industry to speak with one voice."

Shortly after the vote, AMI publicly welcomed the vote. AMI Chairman Greg Benedict said in a news release that a merger would be the "right decision at the right time" for the industry.

AMI represents 95% of the red meat processors and 70% of turkey processers and their suppliers throughout the US.

Barry Carpenter is chief executive officer (CEO) of NAMA. Since J. Patrick Boyle retired from AMI at the end of 2013, Jim Hodges has served as interim president and CEO of AMI.