Contacts:
Mark Klein, Cargill, (952) 742-6211
Steven Maxey, Beef Packers, Inc., (559) 256-3860, steven.maxey@beefpackers.com
Cargill-Beef Packers, Inc. Combination Completed
FRESNO, Calif. – Cargill Meat Solutions, a leading processor of beef, pork and turkey, said today that it had completed the acquisition of Beef Packers, Inc., Fresno Meat Co., RPM Beef, Inc. and King-O-Meat, Inc. Beef Packers, Fresno Meat, RPM Beef and King-O-Meat will be combined under one name: Beef Packers, Inc.
Derek Kennedy, who had been lead controller with Cargill Meat Solutions in Wichita, Kan., has been named transition leader. He will run the business with Dennis Roth, who had been president of Beef Packers, Inc., and will now be general manager of the company.
“My role will be to successfully integrate Beef Packers, Inc. and transition its excellent employees into Cargill,” said Kennedy, who joined Cargill’s meat businesses after graduating from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln in 1987. “I have liked what I have seen in recent months in Fresno, and I think the transition will go well. Both Cargill and Beef Packers, Inc. have similar cultures, values and beliefs.”
Roth owned the business with the Maxey and Pestorich families, who also will remain part of Beef Packers, Inc. “As I said when we announced this combination last September, this is a tremendous opportunity for the team in Fresno,” Roth said. “Cargill has the resources to build on our achievements and success.”
As part of the transaction, the Ore-Cal Transportation business will not be acquired, and will be dissolved. J.B. Hunt will handle refrigerated transportation for Beef Packers, Inc. HR Livestock Transportation, Inc. will transport cattle to the plant.
“J.B. Hunt and HR Livestock are experts at what they do, allowing Beef Packers, Inc., to focus on producing quality meat products,” Kennedy said. Shop employees and drivers for Ore-Cal will be considered for employment by J.B. Hunt and HR Livestock.
Beef Packers, Inc. will help Cargill further build its presence on the West Coast, creating new opportunities for customers and cattle producers. “Cargill is looking forward to being part of the communities in the Valley,” Kennedy said.
Kennedy said Beef Packers, Inc. will maintain a strong presence in the regional livestock auctions while continuing to work with producers and other marketing agents to provide the best possible prices for their livestock. Beef Packers, Inc. will continue to harvest mature cows and fed cattle.
Two others from Cargill will move to the Fresno area. Celie Myers, who had been technical services specification superintendent at Cargill Taylor Beef in Wyalusing, Pa., will be plant operations manager in Fresno. John Nash, who had been an accounting manager in Wyalusing, will join the Beef Packers, Inc. team as controller.
Based in Wichita, Kan., Cargill Meat Solutions is a subsidiary of Minneapolis-based Cargill, Incorporated, which is an international provider of food, agricultural and risk management products and services. With 142,000 employees in 61 countries, the company is committed to using its knowledge and experience to collaborate with customers to help them succeed.