Cargill invests $2.7M at Texas turkey facility

Cargill is investing $2.7 million to improve fire resistance by installing upgraded wall panels and expanding the sprinkler system at the company's Waco, Texas, turkey processing facility. Work will be completed in the calendar fourth quarter of 2010.

"This investment is a commitment by Cargill to this facility, Waco and the region from which we purchase turkeys, supplies and services," said Wesley Carter, plant general manager. "Workplace and food safety are top priorities at Cargill, and this is an investment that will better ensure both. Cargill people here take a great deal of pride in producing nourishing, high-quality, safe animal protein products. We're also proud to have EMS ISO 14001 certification, as well as receiving acknowledgements from government and the industry for our environmental stewardship."

Opened in 1965, and expanded over time, the facility has grown to more than 330,000 square feet, employs 630 people and processes 26,000 turkeys each weekday. In addition, more than 300,000 pounds of deli products are produced at the site daily for foodservice customers such as restaurants, industrial food producers and retail deli firms. Turkey products from this facility are sold throughout North America.

Cargill is an international producer and marketer of food, agricultural, financial and industrial products and services. Founded in 1865, the privately held company employs 138,000 people in 67 countries.