Opening in October 2018, the facility is expected to create 1,295 food processing and manufacturing positions over a five-year period, described by the company as “one of the largest job creation projects” in New Mexico for over a decade.
The company revealed that a recruitment drive would be due to take place in September.
The Sunland Park facility, which is expected to generate between $300-400m in revenue once fully utilised, will increase Stampede’s existing 285,000sq ft and 190 million-pound capacity by more than half.
Products produced at Stampede’s New Mexico plant will be distributed across the US, as well as Canada and South America.
“Stampede has been at capacity on some critical lines for a number of months,” said Stampede Meat CEO Brock Furlong. “Starting this fall, this will allow Stampede to grow with a significant investment in cook capacity and new capabilities to continually play a more critical role as our customers look for more turnkey solutions.”
The investment has been supported by the New Mexico governor Susana Martinez, who said the facility would bring new life and new jobs to a previously dormant facility.
“The power of New Mexico’s economic development tools are on full display, as we proudly welcome Stampede Meat to Sunland Park,” said Martinez. “It will dramatically affect not only the community of Sunland Park, but also the entire state.”
Stampede’s expansion also received support from the New Mexico Economic Development Department, investing up to $3m in the Local Economic Development Act, who help recruit new businesses to the state.
Stampede Meat is currently headquartered in Bridgeview, Illinois, with surrounding facilities in Oak Lawn, Bedford Park and Hodgkins. The company provides foodservice and retail channels with beef, poultry and alternative proteins.