US-based poultry firm Allen Harim is in talks to acquire former Pinnacle Foods (Vlasic) processing facility in Millsboro, Delaware, US with an investment of about $100m.
The 460,000ft2 remodeled facility would employ 700 people and will be a poultry processing, cut-up and cooking operation. Allen Harim will operate the plant through its subsidiary Harim Millsboro. The facility is expected to commence operations by November 2014.
Allen Harim chief executive officer Gary Gladys said the new facility will expand the company's processing capacity, allow it to introduce new products and hire more employees.
"This will have a significant economic impact in Delaware, and serve as a symbol of our deep commitment to the United States market with an investment of an estimated $100 million."
"This new facility will help us expand into new markets as we continue to operate our existing processing plants and continue our strong relationship with our growers," Gladys added.
Allen Harim operates poultry processing facilities in Harbeson, Delaware and Cordova, Maryland; breeding operations in Liberty, North Carolina; along with a hatchery, feedmill, and corporate Office in Seaford, Delaware.
The company has about 1,400 employees, about 270 independent growers, and 25 company-owned farms.
In September 2011, Allen Harim acquired the assets of the former Allen Family Foods.
In addition, Allen Harim announced the sale of the Allen Biotech rendering operation based in Linkwood, Maryland to Valley Proteins, According to the company the sale of the rendering operation will allow it to focus on its core poultry business operations.
