Top 125

Last Year, Gold Kist was one of the top Chicken Processors in the Country and in the Upper Echelon of the National Provisioner’s top 125 List. Carolina Turkeys was at no. 35, With Sales of $516 Million, and was Looking to Grow the Business. Coleman Natural Products, King’s Delight and Snow Ball Foods Were all Separate Companies.
Things have changed considerably in a year for those companies and several others. Gold Kist was acquired by Pilgrim’s Pride Corp. in December of 2006, cementing the Pittsburg, Texas-based processor’s status as the largest chicken processor in the country and the second-largest poultry processor behind Tyson Foods. Carolina Turkeys, meanwhile, acquired the Butterball brand from ConAgra Foods, changed its name to Butterball LLC and became the newest billion-dollar company on the Top 125 report. Coleman Foods in August 2006 announced the merger of several companies, including King’s Delight and Snow Ball, into Coleman Natural Foods LLC. The new company generated sales of more than $600 million in 2006, making for one of the largest jumps of any company on the Top 125 report.
In total, six of the companies that were on last year’s Top 125 list have since been acquired by other companies. Brawley Beef was acquired by National Beef, Amick Farms by OSI Group, and Zartic Inc. by Pierre Foods. At the current rate, the Top 125 list of 2028 will feature exactly one meat-processing company, with sales of several hundred billion dollars.
New Developments
Companies on the Top 125 list tend to get that way by not standing pat. Several of the companies in this year’s report released new products, opened new buildings or added new processes. Here is a rundown of some of the latest news from the top packers and processors.
Tyson Foods Inc. (#1) formally unveiled its new 100,000-square-foot Discovery Center at its Springdale, Ark., headquarters. The new building is the home for Tyson’s research and development team and includes 19 test kitchens and its own multi-protein pilot plant. The company also joined with Cactus Feeders Inc., one of the world’s largest cattle feeding companies, and Cresud, a leading Argentine producer of basic agricultural products, to form Argentina’s first vertically integrated beef operation. Sales for the venture are expected to be more than $30 million in 2007.
Cargill Meat Solutions (#2) acquired Beef Packers Inc. in Fresno, Calif., to further the company’s presence on the West Coast. It also opened a new Culinary Innovation Center in Wichita, Kan., to develop the latest food creations for Cargill’s customers. Cargill’s Prairie Grove Farms label added three products with no added nitrite/nitrates: Natural Uncured Hickory Smoked bacon, Natural Pork Loin Back Ribs and Natural St. Louis Style Ribs.
In another busy year of acquisitions for Smithfield Foods Inc. (#4), the processor acquired the refrigerated meats operations of ConAgra Foods Inc. and the European meats business of Sara Lee Foods. It also announced the acquisition of Premium Standard Farms (#24). That acquisition was finalized on May 7 of this year.
A tumultuous year for Swift & Co. (#5) saw immigration raids take place on several of its facilities in December of 2006; staffing levels at its beef-processing plants didn’t return to normal until May of this year. In January of this year, the company announced it had engaged JPMorgan to assist in the review of strategic and financial alternatives, in the wake of several unsolicited inquiries. A merger, acquisition, partnership, refinancing or public equity offering were all to be reviewed. Meanwhile, the company sold its non-fed cattle business to XL Foods and signed an agreement with Environmental Power Corp. to build a renewable gas facility at its Grand Island, Neb., beef-processing plant.
Along with the acquisition of Gold Kist Inc., Pilgrim’s Pride (#7) introduced EatWellStayHealthy Kids Breaded Chicken Breast Nuggets and Breaded Popcorn Chicken, both of which were certified by the American Heart Association with its “heart check-mark” seal of approval. The company also received awards from several customers, including Wal-Mart Stores Inc., Brinker International, SYSCO and Heinz. It opened a $70 million expansion at its Live Oak, Fla., facility to process air-chilled chicken and added a $30 million expansion to its Guntersville, Ala., plant to add retail packaging capacity.
OSI Group LLC (#10) acquired Amick Farms LLC, located in Batesburg-Leesville, S.C., as well as the Brazillian processor Agro Frango.
National Beef Packing Co. LLC (#12) acquired the Brawley Beef processing facility in Brawley, Calif., on June 1, 2006. It also acquired Los Angeles-based Vintage Foods Limited Partnership, which includes the Vintage™ Natural Beef brand.
Perdue Farms Inc. (#13) opened a Wellness Center at its facility in Accomac, Va. — its 15th such center — helping its employees get quality and affordable health care. The company’s Health Improvement Program, designed to target preventable health issues among its employees, was recognized with a 2006 Secretary’s Innovation in Prevention Award from the Department of Health and Human Services.
Butterball LLC (#19T) was formed when Carolina Turkeys acquired the Butterball brand from ConAgra in October, 2006. The acquisition created the largest processor of turkey products in the United States.
Wayne Farms LLC (#19T) opened Innovation Central, a food laboratory combining culinary expertise and food science with research and development capabilities. The lab will help customers develop and test new ideas and recipes for success, according to the company.
In January 2006, Seaboard Foods (#23) began marketing and selling products from a new plant in St. Joseph, Mo., owned and operated by Triumph Foods. Including Seaboard’s plant in Guymon, Okla., the company sells products from the two newest and most modern pork-processing facilities in the country.
Coleman Natural Products LLC (#31) was formed from the merger of BC Natural Foods LLC and KDSB Holdings LLC., forming the largest processor, marketer and distributor of fresh and further-prepared natural and organic proteins in the United States. Among the company’s latest products are all-natural sliced deli meats.
Kenosha Beef International Ltd. (#38) continued to emphasize national distribution of its new hamburgers under the NASCAR and Disney brands. The company also expanded its Columbus, Ohio, plant’s cooked product capabilities to meet customer and consumer demands.
In July 2006, Advance Food Co. Inc. (# 39) acquired Quik-to-Fix Foods from Smithfield, including two facilities in Texas. Quik-to-Fix’s product line include value-added, fully cooked and ready-to-cook beef, pork and poultry products under the Quik-to-Fix®, Chomps™, HealthFULLS, Philly Freedom™ and Gorges® brand names.
Along with adding breaded and par-fried lines to its capabilities, Quantum Foods LLC (#42) introduced a line of branded steaks under the Quantum Steakhouse™ name. The line of frozen steaks capitalizes on Quantum’s 15 years of steak-processing experience in the foodservice industry and includes Beef Ribeye, Filet of Sirloin, T-Bone and Beef Strip Steaks.
Lopez Foods Inc.’s (#43) latest addition is Campos Foods, a joint venture with Advance Food Co. in Caryville, Tenn. The plant helped Lopez expand its fully cooked capacity.
American Foodservice (#49) started a new individually quick-frozen (IQF) hamburger patty line in its Thomasville, Ga., plant. Two IQF lines now run at the plant, which was built in 2005.
West Liberty Foods (#53) announced a sales and marketing alliance with turkey cooperative Norbest Inc. Ed Garrett, president and CEO of West Liberty, said the alliance, “will improve the capacity of both our companies, which will allow us to enhance our ability to provide excellent products and services to all of our collective customers.” The company also broke ground on a new manufacturing facility in Tremonton, Utah.
Poultry processor Case Foods Inc. (#55) added two new feed mills to its operations.
Bob Evans Farms Inc. (#56) broke ground on a 65,000-square-foot expansion of its Springfield, Ohio, distribution center. Sales continued to build for its microwaveable slow-roaster dinners, including turkey breast, pork roast and beef pot roast.
Harris Ranch Beef Co. (#67) introduced Premium Natural Angus Beef, available as fresh boxed beef, ground beef chubs and IQF hamburger patties. The products are hormone-free and antibiotic-free and are from Angus cattle that were given an all-vegetarian, corn-based diet.
Cooper Farms (#68) implemented a controlled-atmosphere stunning system at its turkey slaughtering and deboning facility in St. Henry, Ohio. The system, installed in November, resulted in more humane conditions for its turkeys, better turkey-handling ergonomics for its employees, and drastically less blood in the turkey meat.
Farmers Pride Inc. (#72) introduced a number of new products, including gluten-free nuggets, gluten-free tenders, fully cooked buffalo-style wings, fully cooked honey barbecue wings and chicken pot pie.
Along with a $3.5 million plant upgrade, Kayem Foods (#T75) also introduced Kayem Old Tyme Beef Franks and two all-natural sausages under the al fresco line, a Wild Blueberry Chicken Breakfast Sausage and a Buffalo-Style Chicken Sausage.
Siméus Foods International Inc. (#86T) recapitalized its business, and it also added a kettle line to its Forest City, N.C., facility.
Sioux-Preme Packing Co. (#95T) installed a new carbon dioxide stunning system at its pork harvest operation in Sioux Center, Iowa. The controlled-atmosphere stunning system, which was installed in late January 2007, brought about better product as well as a more humane handling for the hogs.
Chicago Meat Authority (#109T) introduced a number of new products to new and different markets, and it also improved packaging on its products to increase ease of handling and shelf life.
In addition to a new fabrication and distribution facility and home office in Waverly, Neb., MBA Poultry (#111) added a number of new products for both Vegetable Grain-Fed and Organic product lines. Among them were four chicken sausage flavor profiles (Smoky Cheddar, Polish, Maple Breakfast and Spicy Country Breakfast), Pulled Smart Chicken with BBQ Sauce and IQF Whole Wings.
Leidys Inc. (#114) introduced a Nature’s Traditions antibiotic-free pork product line.
Chiappetti Lamb and Veal (#124) moved its corporate office to Mokena, Ill., and expanded its Emerald Street plant in Chicago.
If your company would like to be contacted for next year’s Top 125 Report, please contact Sam Gazdziak at (678) 445-1789, or e-mail sgazdziak@stagnito.com
BEEF
Seg.
Rank
Name of Company Revenue in
Segment (millions)
Total
Revenue
TOP125
Rank
1 Tyson Foods Inc. $11,776 $25,600 1
2 Swift & Co. $7,293 $9,350 5
3 National Beef Packing Co. LLC. +$4,000 +$4,000 12
4 Smithfield Foods Inc. $2,807 $11,403.6 4
5 American Foods Group LLC $1,620 $1,800 16
6 Kenosha Beef International Ltd. $496 $501 38
7 United Food Group LLC $430 $430 47
8 American Foodservice $392 $400 49
9 Sam Kane Beef Processors $380 $380 50
10 Lopez Foods Inc. $349.5 $466 43
11 Quantum Foods LLC $288 $480 42
12 Stampede Meat Inc. $206.3 $275 57
13 Caviness Beef Packers Ltd. $195 $195 69
14 Hormel Foods Corp. $156.3 $5,210 8
15 Meyer Natural Angus $130 $130 85T
16 Holten Meat Inc. $102.4 $107.7 94
17 Fairbank Reconstriction Corp. $90.8 $90.8 105
18 Custom Food Products Inc. $79.8 $145 80
19 West Liberty Foods LLC $75.6 $315 53
20 Vienna Beef Ltd. $70 $100 98T
21 John Soules Foods Inc. $67.5 $135 81T
22 Murry’s Inc. $51 $170 71
23 Dietz & Watson Inc. +$50 +$250 59
24 Vincent Giordano Corp. $47.5 $50 119T
25 Chicago Meat Authority $36.8 $75 109T
26 Cambridge Packing Co. Inc. $36.0 $58 117
27 Abbyland Foods Inc. $31.3 $125 86T
28 Michael’s Finer Meats Inc. $31.2 $78 108
29 Kayem Foods Inc. $30 $150 75T
30 Manda Packing Co. LLC $21.2 $47 122
31 Alferfer Inc. $18.5 $34.2 125
32 Peer Foods Group $15 $100 98T
33 Fresh Mark Inc. $14.5 $482 41
34 Willow Brook Foods Inc. $11.8 $235 60T
35 Superior Farms $2.1 $207 66
36 Strauss Veal & Lamb International Inc. $0.7 $132 84
Note: Market segment rankings include only those Top 125 companies that submitted segment sales information.

CHICKEN
Seg.
Rank
Name of Company Revenue in
Segment (millions)
Total
Revenue
TOP125
Rank
1 Tyson Foods Inc. $7,936 $25,600 1
2 Pilgrim’s Pride Corp. $7,259 $7,400 7
3 Perdue Farms Inc. $3,026 $3,400 13
4 Wayne Farms LLC $1,200 $1,200 19T
5 Foster Poultry Farms $1,138 $1,800 16T
6 Sanderson Farms Inc. $985.1 $1,048 22
7 Mountaire Farms Inc. $809.3 $809.3 25
8 Simmons Prepared Foods Inc. $515 $515 35
9 Allen Family Foods Inc. $352 $352 52
10 Townsends Inc. $296.0 $361 51
11 Case Foods Inc. $293 $293 55
12 Cagle’s Inc. $235 $235 60T
13 Gold’n Plump Poultry Inc. $220 $220 62T
14 Farmers Pride Inc. $165 $165 72
15 Harrison Poultry Inc. $135 $135 81T
16 Murry’s Inc. $102 $170 71
17 Fresh Mark Inc. $72.3 $482 41
18 John Soules Foods Inc. $67.5 $135 81T
19 MBA Poultry $66.5 $70 111
20 Quantum Foods LLC $57.6 $480 42
21 Willow Brook Foods Inc. $47 $235 60T
22 Kayem Foods Inc. $45 $150 75T
23 Maple Leaf Farms Inc. $32.2 $161 73
24 Custom Food Products Inc. $29 $145 80
25 Stampede Meat Inc. $27.5 $275 57
26 Dietz & Watson Inc. +$25 $250 59
27 Cambridge Packing Co. Inc. $10.4 $58 117
28 West Liberty Foods LLC $9.5 $315 53
29 Hatfield Quality Meats Inc. $5.1 $510 36
30 Michael’s Finer Meats Inc. $3.9 $78 108
Note: Market segment rankings include only those Top 125 companies that submitted segment sales information.

PORK
Seg.
Rank
Name of Company Revenue in
Segment (millions)
Total
Revenue
TOP125
Rank
1 Smithfield Foods Inc. $6,386 $11,403.6 3
2 Tyson Foods Inc. $3,072 $25,600 1
3 Hormel Foods Corp. $2,918 $5,210 8
4 Swift & Co. $2,057 $9,350 5
5 Seaboard Foods $1,002.7 $1,002.7 23
6 Premium Standard Farms $893 $893 24
7 Indiana Packers Corp. $625 $625 30
8 Hatfield Quality Meats Inc. $504.9 $510 36
9 Fresh Mark Inc. $395.2 $482 41
10 Odom’s Tennessee Pride Sausage Inc. $180 $180 70
11 Lopez Foods Inc. $116.5 $466 43
12 Sioux-Preme Packing Co. $105 $105 95
13 Dietz & Watson Inc. +$100 +$250 59
14 Peer Foods Group $80 $100 98T
15 Kayem Foods Inc. $75 $150 75T
16 West Liberty Foods LLC $66.2 $315 53
17 Leidys Inc. $65 $65 114
18 Abbyland Foods Inc. $62.5 $125 86T
19 Chicago Meat Authority $36.8 $75 109T
20 Custom Food Products Inc. $29 $145 80
21 Stempede Meat Inc. $27.5 $275 57
22 Quantum Foods LLC $24 $480 42
23 Willow Brook Foods Inc. $23.5 $235 60T
24 Manda Packing Co. LLC $21.2 $47 122
25 Murry’s Inc. $17 $170 71
26 Alderfer Inc. $13.3 $34.2 125
27 Michael’s Finer Meats Inc. $11.7 $78 108
28 American Foodservice $8 $400 49
29 Holten Meat Inc. $5.4 $107.7 94
30 Kenosha Beef International Ltd. $5 $501 38
31 Cambridge Packing Co. Inc. $2.9 $58 117
Note: Market segment rankings include only those Top 125 companies that submitted segment sales information.

TURKEY/DUCK
Seg.
Rank
Name of Company Revenue in
Segment (millions)
Total
Revenue
TOP125
Rank
1 Butterball LLC $1,200 $1,200 19T
2 Hormel Foods Corp. $1,146 $5,210 8
3 Perdue Farms Inc. $374 $3,400 13
4 Foster Poultry Farms $286.2 $1,800 16T
5 West Liberty Foods LLC $157.5 $315 53
6 Willow Brook Foods Inc. $141 $235 60T
7 Pilgrim’s Pride Corp. $140.6 $7,400 7
8 Maple Leaf Farms Inc. $128.8 $161 73
9 Dietz & Watson Inc. +$75 +$250 59
10 Quantum Foods LLC $14.4 $480 42
11 Stampede Meat Inc. $13.8 $275 57
12 Smithfield Foods Inc. $11.4 $11,403.6 4
13 Custom Food Products Inc. $7.3 $145 80
14 Peer Foods Group $5 $100 98T
15 Manda Packing Co. LLC $4.7 $47 122
16 Michael’s Finer Meats Inc. $3.9 $78 108
17 Vincent Giordano Corp. $2.5 $50 119T
18 Alderfer Inc. $2.4 $34.2 125
19 Cambridge Packing Co. Inc. $1.2 $58 117

Lamb/Veal
Seg.
Rank
Name of Company Revenue in
Segment (millions)
Total
Revenue
TOP125
Rank
1 Superior Farms $205 $207 66
2 Mountain States Rosen $150 $150 75T
3 Strauss Veal & Lamb International Inc. $131.3 $132 84
4 Marcho Farms Inc. $100 $100 98T
5 Chiappetti Lamb and Veal $39 $39 124
6 Swift & Co. $9.4 $9,375 5
7 Michael’s Finer Meats Inc. $3.9 $78 108
8 Cambridge Packing Co. Inc. $2.9 $58 117
9 Chicago Meat Authority $1.5 $75 109T
Note: Market segment rankings include only those Top 125 companies that submitted segment sales information.

PREPARED FOODS
Seg.
Rank
Name of Company Revenue in
Segment (millions)
Total
Revenue
TOP125
Rank
1 ConAgra Foods Inc. $11,579 $11,579 3
2 Smithfield Foods Inc. $5,702 $11,403.6 4
3 Tyson Foods Inc. $2,816 $25,600 1
4 Hormel Foods Corp. $989.9 $5,210 8
5 Foster Poultry Farms $376.2 $1,800 16T
6 Simmons Prepared Foods Inc. $190.6 $515 35
7 American Foods Group LLC $180 $1,800 16T
8 Bridgford Foods Corp. $134.3 $134.3 83
9 Siméus Foods International Inc. $125 $125 86T
10 Quantum Foods LLC $96 $480 42
11 Townsends Inc. $65.0 $361 51
12 Sanderson Farms Inc. $62.9 $1,048 22
13 United Food Group LLC $51.6 $430 47
14 Abbyland Foods Inc. $31.3 $125 86T
15 Willow Brook Foods Inc. $11.8 $235 60T
16 Vienna Beef Ltd. $10 $100 98T
17 Michael’s Finer Meats Inc. $3.9 $78 108
18 MBA Poultry $3.5 $70 111
19 Cambridge Packing Co. Inc. $2.3 $58 117
Note: Market segment rankings include only those Top 125 companies that submitted segment sales information.

EXPORTS
Seg.
Rank
Name of Company Revenue in
Segment (millions)
Total
Revenue
TOP125
Rank
1 Tyson Foods Inc. $2,816 $25,600 1
2 Swift & Co. $748 $9,350 5
3 Pilgrim’s Pride Corp. $464 $7,400 7
4 Butterball LLC $264 $1,200 19T
5 Hormel Foods Corp. $208.4 $5,210 8
6 Simmons Prepared Foods Inc. $185.4 $515 35
7 Wayne Farms LLC $180 $1,200 19T
8 Perdue Farms Inc. $170 $3,400 13
9 Indiana Packers Corp. $125 $625 30
10 Mountaire Farms Inc. $105.2 $809.3 25
11 Townsends Inc. $72.2 $361 51
12 Foster Poultry Farms $36 $1,800 16T
13 Harrison Poultry Inc. $27 $135 81T
14 Case Foods Inc. $29.3 $293 55
15 Fresh Mark Inc. $24.1 $482 41
16 Cagle’s Inc. $23.5 $235 60T
17 Willow Brook Foods Inc. $23.5 $235 60T
18 Sioux-Preme Packing Co. $21 $105 95T
19 Cooper Farms $15 $200 68
20 Mountain States Rosen $15 $150 75T
21 Abbyland Foods Inc. $12.5 $125 86T
22 Allen Family Foods Inc. $10.6 $352 52
23 Hatfield Quality Meats Inc. $10.2 $510 36
24 Caviness Beef Packers Ltd. $9.8 $195 69
25 West Liberty Foods LLC $9.5 $315 53
26 Leidys Inc. $6.5 $65 114
27 Dietz & Watson Inc. +$5 +$250 59
28 Kenosha Beef International Ltd. $5 $501 38
29 Superior Farms $4.1 $207 66
30 John Soules Foods Inc. $4 $135 81T
31 Meyer Natural Angus $3.9 $130 85T
32 Chicago Meat Authority $3.8 $75 109T
33 Sam Kane Beef Processors $3.8 $380 50
34 Siméus Foods International Inc. $3.8 $125 86T
35 Farmers Pride Inc. $1.7 $165 72
36 Custom Food Products Inc. $1.5 $145 80
37 Kayem Foods Inc. $1.5 $150 75T
38 Vienna Beef Ltd. $1 $100 98T
39 Marcho Farms Inc. $1 $100 98T
40 Strauss Veal & Lamb International Inc. $0.7 $132 84
Note: Market segment rankings include only those Top 125 companies that submitted segment sales information.