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
Click here to see The National Provisioner's Top 125
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. |
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