November 6, 2006

Smithfield opens new US$100 million plant in US

Smithfield Packing Company, the nation's largest pork producer, officially opened a new US$100 million plant in Kinston today. The plant has created 300 new jobs in North Carolina and will contribute more than US$1.5 million in annual wages to the local economy.

"This new plant represents a glimpse of the future--the future of our company, the future of the food business and the future of North Carolina," said Joe Luter IV, president and chief operating officer of Smithfield Packing Co. "Smithfield has always had a strong presence in North Carolina and we are excited to be opening this modern new facility in Kinston."

North Carolina's Lt. Gov. Beverly Perdue, Commissioner of Agriculture Steve Troxler, Kinston Mayor Pro Tem Robert Swinson and Lenoir County Commissioner George Graham joined executives from Smithfield Foods and Smithfield Packing Company for the grand opening ceremony at the Kinston plant.

This is Smithfield's second plant in Kinston and its seventh plant in North Carolina.  The company currently employs more than 11,000 workers in North Carolina.

The new Kinston plant is a boneless cooked ham facility that employs state-of-the-art technologies designed to improve food safety, enhance food quality and reduce water consumption.  It will initially produce 90 million pounds of pork products annually, including deli ham and sliced lunch meat.