April 10, 2012

OK Industries, an asset of Industrias Bachoco is expected to invest US$7million into its chicken processing plant expansions in Arkansas and Oklahoma, a project that will add 182 jobs.

The company plans to hire 110 employees at its facilities in Fort Smith and 72 in Heavener, primarily to work in its chicken deboning operations. The moves are expected to increase capacity and improve quality on the production lines, a company spokeswoman told the Southwest Times Record. Workers who were laid off last year will have priority in terms of the new jobs, she added.

Industrias Bachoco of Mexico acquired OK Industries for an undisclosed price last fall, less than six months after the death of Chairman Collier Wenderoth Jr. in June. The company currently processes 2.5 million chickens each week, posting annual sales of about US$600 million while providing poultry products to foodservice distributors and grocery chains.