The local pork-processing plant announced Thursday it would construct a 30,000-square-foot addition. The new refrigerated space will be an estimated $9.5 million investment and will create 30 new jobs.
Construction will begin in the next 30 days and continue into most of 2013.
Patt Lilly, chief administrative officer, said the expansion is a way for the company to meet growing consumer demands for a quality pork product.
“What we’re seeing, as a pork processor, is the growing demand in these developing countries that we want to address,” Mr. Lilly said. “That, in part, is driving the red meat industry and its growth overseas. There’s little doubt that the (United States) certainly has the premium when it comes to pork and other red meat.”
Mr. Lilly said rumors of a future pork shortage may have originated in Europe.
“Based on the things we know, it’s hard to make a judgment,” he said. “With the higher cost of feed, it will have some impact on hogs available to market. Those numbers are in the 2 to 3 percent differential, year over year.”
Mr. Lilly said he doesn’t believe the local consumer is going to see any shortage.
“But you may see, in dealing with agriculture commodities, when there’s less of something, the cost will go up. At some point, you may likely see pork prices move up some.”
However, the future isn’t slowing down Triumph, which began its operations in January 2006. The company has had many other projects over the past six years.
“We invest on a regular basis,” Mr. Lilly said. “About $3 (million) to $5 million annually on upgrades and equipment.”
Besides adding a freezer on site, Triumph has added equipment and machinery capable of producing a value-added product, marinated retail-ready pork products.
As the facility continues to grow, the idea of a second facil ity in Illinois sits on the back burner.
“I would say we’re not looking at it at this time,” Mr. Lilly said. “But we haven’t abandoned the project.”
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Source: Argentine Beef Packers S.A.
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