Mountaire plans poultry plant expansion

Arkansas-based supplier of processed chicken and chicken products, Mountaire Farms, plans an expansion in Robeson County, North Carolina, with an investment of US$17.9 million.

Mountaire received a US$150,000 grant to increase production at that facility by adding cold freezer storage space, according to North Carolina Gov. Beverly Perdue.

"With help from the state, Robeson County and many others, expanding operations in North Carolina will provide us with the most cost-effective means of expanding production, improving logistics throughout our value chain and growing our position as a globally competitive food producer," said Scott Varner, director of operations for Mountaire.

By locating the new facility in North Carolina, the company can take advantage of product-freezing technology to increase the quality of export products, Varner added.