July 17, 2008

US food product manufacturer Keystone Foods will invest US$118 million to add a new sector and expand operations in its chicken processing plant in Alabama, the Gadsden Times reported.

The current 7000 square-meter plant in Gadsden, Alabama, will be relocated to a location in town that is twice as large. In addition, Keystone will lease part of the property to logistics company Southern Cold Storage to build a storage and distribution facility said Keystone Plant Manager Victor Turner.

Operations will be doubled at the new plant. Currently, Gadsden plant processes chicken and a small amount of beef for sale to restaurants. The new plant will also create an additional 150 jobs to the current 520 employees.

Based in Pennsylvania, Keystone Foods supplies processed products to food service industries worldwide. The US company owns 55 facilities and its 30,000-strong clientele includes well-known names such as McDonald's and Pizza Hut.