June 21, 2006

Mistsubishi expands hog operations in US state of Indiana

Mistsubishi Corp, the Japanese conglomerate which manufactures everything from cars to refrigerators, is expanding its pork processing operations in Delphi, Indiana.

The company would invest US$43 million to increase plant capacity in Indiana Packers Corp, its joint venture with Itoham Corp. 

The expansion would increase pork processing capacity by 15 percent, on top of a  37-percent-expansion since 2003.

The announcement came on the first full day of Indiana Governor Mitch Daniel's trade mission to Japan to shore up business opportunities for Indiana's meat industry.

The visit would help build relationships and find new opportunities for the state, Daniels said, adding that expansion by companies already in Indiana is one of the desired outcomes. This expansion is in addition to a current expansion of US$69 million and approximately 270 new jobs.

The Indiana Economic Development Corporation (IEDC) provided incentives to assist both expansion projects.

Growth in pork processing capacity is an important component of the state's goal to double hog production flu.