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Area Development - Site Selection, Facility Planning and Workforce Development

Ozark Mountain Poultry Opens Production Center In Batesville, Arkansas

11/11/2013
Ozark Mountain Poultry, a Rogers, Arkansas-based vertically integrated poultry company, opened its newly expanded operations center in Batesville, Arkansas, with plans to employ approximately 250 people.

OMP currently produces more than 1.5 million pounds of antibiotic free poultry per week at its Rogers, Arkansas, facility for the restaurant industry and its consumer-based brand, Forester Farmer’s Market. With the addition of Batesville, that number will double to approximately 3 million pounds per week.

“We are thrilled to be part of the Batesville community and to expand operations in our home state,” said Dr. Ed Fryar, CEO, Ozark Mountain Poultry. “Our goal when we founded the company 13 years ago was to provide affordable, premium, quality chicken to families. With the purchase of the Batesville site, we will be able to meet the growing demands of consumers for healthy, antibiotic free chicken.”

Pilgrim’s Pride announced plans to close Batesville facility earlier this year. “As part of our long-term growth strategy, Ozark Mountain Poultry continuously evaluates opportunities to better serve our customers, employees and investors,” added Fryar. “We believe the acquisition of the Batesville facility was a smart decision for our business and those we serve.”

Company leaders anticipate a two-week transition period to retrofit the facility with new equipment, perform needed building renovations and allow additional time for local family farmers to raise the antibiotic free chicken to OMP specifications.

“Ozark Mountain Poultry is making an investment in Batesville that brings with it a qualified, dedicated workforce,” said Grant Tennille, Executive Director of the Arkansas Economic Development Commission. “Batesville has shown resiliency as a community through the recent loss of jobs at this facility. Thanks to Ozark Mountain Poultry for its investment in Batesville and its people.”

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