August 26, 2011

FPL Food to expand beef plant

US-based FPL Food has pumped in US$3million to expand a beef processing plant in its home base of Augusta, Georgia, says Governor Nathan Deal.

County and state agencies helped FPL manage the expansion opportunity at the company's third production facility. The largest privately held beef processor in the Southeast also operates its corporate headquarters out of the former Shapiro Packing facility in Augusta and operates a value-added plant in West Columbia, S.C.

Steve Hixon, FPL Food director of marketing, said that the company has been operating the plant, which produces value-added product for retail and foodservice customers, for about six weeks. The expansion involves installing new equipment, updating the facility's interior and completing the hiring process. At full capacity, the plant will employ as many as 100 people.

FPL expects to complete the expansion by the end of September.