January 6, 2006
Triumph Foods re-opens pork plant after explosion
Triumph Foods' new USUS$130-million pork plant in US state Missouri opened for business this week with start-up operations on Jan 3.
The plant had been scheduled to open in the fall of 2005 but an explosion at the facility in early October that killed one construction worker and injured several others delayed the opening date until this week.
"Overall, we're very pleased with the first couple of days of operations," said Jerry Lehenbauer, a vice-president with Triumph Foods. "Tuesday (start-up day) was a major milestone for our company."
"Despite an unfortunate accident that occurred at the construction site on Oct 12, this new facility has begun operations in record time," said Mark Campbell, Triumph Foods' chief operating officer, in a company release.
The plant started operations with more than 500 employees. The facility will be able to process more than 1,000 hogs an hour.
Campbell added, "Triumph Foods will continue to hire additional employees as it ramps up the operating volume. Within 18 months, Triumph Foods expects to employ more than 1,000 workers."
The Missouri-based company previously announced plans to build a second pork plant in East Moline, Illinois.
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