Farmer Focus opens packaging plant

HARRISONBURG, VA. — Farmer Focus introduced the completion of a brand new, 78,000-square-foot packaging facility in Harrisonburg, Va., inside a mile of its current processing plant.

The poultry firm mentioned the packaging aspect of its enterprise would develop its capability by as much as 100% over the subsequent two years with the capability to course of 650,000 birds per week.

Farmer Focus expects to increase its poultry farm companions from 73 to 100 by the tip of 2022. It plans to double that quantity throughout 2023.

“This plant is a vital step in our mission to advertise and shield generational household farmers,” mentioned Corwin Heatwole, chief government officer and founding farmer of Farmer Focus. “Now we have over 100 farmers on our ready record and a rising shopper demand for our natural, humane and sustainably raised rooster. With the expanded capability of this plant comes the chance to associate with extra farmers, the privilege to additional partnerships with retailers, and the flexibility to achieve extra customers. I’m so pleased with what our staff has completed with this facility and excited for what’s to come back.”

Farmer Focus lately mentioned that 100 new jobs have been associated to the brand new facility opening. By the tip of part considered one of this mission they anticipate to create 135 new jobs.

The extra capability contains chilly cupboard space, transport dock places and helps the corporate take care of rising shopper demand. In complete, the Farmer Focus employs greater than 700 folks.

“This new facility is a residing instance of Farmer Focus’ dedication to high quality, innovation, security and tradition,” mentioned Bob Bahr, vp of operations of Farmer Focus. “From our technological and automation investments to our design selections, we prioritized each manufacturing effectivity and plant staff’ security and high quality of life. That diligence exhibits each day on our manufacturing flooring and speaks to a degree of security that, in my 40-plus yr profession, I’ve solely seen completed right here at Farmer Focus.”

Farmer Focus additionally touted its security requirements to associate with its natural and humane marks. The corporate mentioned it achieved greater than 4 million man-hours with out a misplaced workday damage and a complete recordable incident fee of .90, effectively under the trade normal of three.5.

Different options of the packaging facility embody a containment space for all stormwater, roofed-in recycling and trash space, emission-free rooftop hygienic items and wastewater pretreatment facility to deal with all processed water. Farmer Focus additionally invested in a cardboard discount and recycling program.

The corporate beforehand mentioned it’s the solely 100% natural and humane licensed rooster firm with a mission to advertise and shield generational household farms.