April 2, 2008

Cargill acquires turkey processor, to shutter two plants

Cargill Value Added Meats, a division of Kansas-based Cargill Meat Solutions, announced Monday that it has acquired certain assets of turkey processor Willow Brook Foods.

The transaction included Willow Brook's operations in Springfield, Missouri, and Albert Lea, Minnessota.

The Minnesota asset is a cooked meat operation known as Schweigert Foods. Also part of the deal is Cargill Value Added Meats' acquisition of Willow Brook's brands.

As part of the transition, Cargill will close two Willow Brook facilities in Springfield, resulting in about 780 layoffs.

Production from the two Springfield facilities will move to Cargill plants in California, Missouri and Springdale, Arkansas, over the next four to six months.

Willow Brook's agricultural operations, including the contract turkey production and Butterfield, Missouri, feed mill, and the Albert Lea cooked meat operation will continue to operate.

Cargill said it will assume Willow Brook's leases of a slicing facility and a distribution center in Springfield.

In addition to processing turkey, Willow Brook Foods further processes a variety of chicken and pork products.