Poultry and pork producer Pilgrim’s announces a strategic investment to expand and modernize its Ellijay, Ga., poultry facility. The approximately $75 million investment will increase harvesting and portioning capacity in Ellijay and enable the facility to produce a broader mix of higher-value, boneless chicken products, including those used in chicken sandwiches, tenders and other fast-growing categories.

The company said this investment supports key customers’ growth plans through a change in Pilgrim’s portfolio mix in Ellijay.

“As consumer demand shifts and our customers grow, we are investing to ensure our operations are positioned for the future,” said Fabio Sandri, CEO of Pilgrim’s. “Ellijay is a strong-performing facility with a talented team, and this expansion will allow us to optimize our portfolio, improve efficiency, and continue delivering high-quality products to our customers.”

As part of this production shift, Pilgrim’s will close the aging harvesting portion of its Chattanooga, Tenn., operations. The company will continue to utilize Chattanooga’s deboning infrastructure to support nearby Ellijay’s expanded operations, ensuring continuity and service for existing customers.

There will be no impact on the grower base in the region, and Pilgrim’s will maintain service and quality levels for all customers, including those purchasing bone-in products, through its broader network of facilities.

Pilgrim’s said it is committed to supporting the 348 team members affected by the Chattanooga harvesting operations closure. The company will provide:

• Eligibility for transfer to other Pilgrim’s locations
• Opportunities to apply for open roles at facilities across the United States
• On-site support and transition resources
• Continued engagement with local workforce partners and community stakeholders

“We are grateful for the dedication of our impacted Chattanooga team members and are committed to helping them through this transition with care, respect and as many opportunities as possible,” said Sandri. “These decisions are among the most difficult we make because they affect people who have contributed so much to our success.”

Pilgrim's said the Ellijay investment is part of the company's broader strategy to modernize its operations, enhance product mix and build a more resilient supply chain. By expanding capacity in a high-performing facility and aligning production with long-term consumer trends, Pilgrim’s is strengthening its ability to serve customers and compete in a dynamic marketplace.

Source: Pilgrim's Pride Corp.