The business, which focuses on antibiotic-free poultry products, has used the investment to expand its portioning and marinating operations, add a state-of-the-art shipping cooler and install an automated pallet storage system, as well as more office space. The expansion has led to the creation of 100 additional jobs at Perdue Farms.
Perdue Farms CEO Randy Day and South Carolina Governor Henry McMaster opened the newly-expanded facility.
Day said: “The expansion will help us meet the growing demand for no-antibiotics-ever chicken products, and maintain the high level of customer service and reliability our customers in South Carolina and across the country expect from Perdue. We’re proud to add to the economic growth here in the Pee Dee region, and we’re grateful to Governor McMaster, commerce secretary Bobby Hitt and Dillon County for their support and leadership.”
McMaster added: “Perdue Farms’ decision to continue investing in South Carolina and our people shows that companies find the resources they need to be successful here. Every one of these jobs will have an impact on Dillon County, and we thank this great company for their ongoing commitment to our state.”
In February this year, Perdue Farms implemented the second phase of its higher-welfare transportation system, which was integrated with controlled atmosphere stunning (CAS). The business invested US$20m in the system and became the first US processor to introduce this technology.
“When we took phase one of our CAS system live, we wanted to learn as much as we could and improve that process while we planned for this second and final phase. As a result, we’ve been able to fine-tune this fully-integrated system that greatly reduces the stress on the birds from the farm to the harvest plant,” said Bruce Stewart-Brown, DVM, senior vice president of food safety, quality and live production. “We’re proud to complete this project that raises the bar for the industry and continue on our animal welfare journey.”