SMITHFIELD, VA. — Smithfield Foods said it will invest $9 million to expand production capacity at its Curly’s facility in Sioux City, Iowa. Smithfield makes precooked ribs and other barbeque products at the plant.
The expansion will add about 21,000 square feet to the facility and add 25 to 30 new jobs when fully operational. Smithfield said work on the new plant is expected to begin sometime this spring, with completion set for this fall.
“We’re very excited about this new facility because it will help us meet growing customer demand for our company's high-quality, ready-to-eat and cooked meat products,” said Bob Brady, vice-president and general manager of the Curly’s facility. “Today’s announcement underscores our company’s commitment to enhancing our facilities and increasing our workforce. This also will boost Sioux City’s economic development because these will be good-paying jobs.”
Smithfield’s recent organizational realignment has unified all of its independent-operating companies, brands and marketing, including Curly’s, under one corporate umbrella with continued emphasis on growing its branded packaged meats business. Established in 1988, Curly’s Foods, Inc. supplies restaurant chains with raw and fully cooked ribs as well as smoked pork, beef and chicken entrees. The company’s products are available at many club stores and supermarkets. Smithfield acquired Curly’s Foods in June 1997 for $10.8 million in cash plus $7.6 million of assumed liabilities.
