April 2, 2013

Allen Harim may acquire one poultry plant to expand capacity

Allen Harim has sold the Allen Biotech LLC rendering operation based in Linkwood, Maryland, to Valley Proteins Inc., and is in negotiations to buy the former Pinnacle Foods (Vlasic) processing facility in Millsboro, Delaware.

The remodelled facility in Millsboro will become a state-of-the-art poultry processing, cut-up, and cooking operation expected to employ an estimated 700 people. Allen Harim will operate the plant through its Harim Millsboro LLC subsidiary. The new facility is expected to begin operations by November 2014.

"The new facility will expand our processing capacity, allow us to introduce new products and hire more employees. This will have a significant economic impact in Delaware, and serve as a symbol of our deep commitment to the US market with an investment of an estimated US$100 million," said CEO Gary Gladys.

The sale of the Allen Biotech rendering operation to rendering giant Valley Proteins will allow the company to concentrate on its core poultry business operations, according to a company news release.  

Allen Harim operates poultry processing facilities in Harbeson, Delaware, and Cordova, Maryland; breeding operations in Liberty, North Carolina; and a hatchery, feed mill, and corporate office in Seaford, Delaware. It has about 1,400 employees, about 270 independent growers, and 25 company-owned farms. Allen Harim purchased the assets of the former Allen's in September 2011.