Cargill, USA to acquire Carneco Foods plant, USA

A Cargill Meat Solutions division is expected to finalize the purchase of a Carneco Foods beef plant in Columbus, Neb., in January after signing a purchase agreement late last week.

The final closing, according to the Columbia Telegraph, is slated for Jan. 2. Cargill Value Added Meats will assume control of operations beginning Jan. 5.

Cargill had been in the market for a new plant since fire destroyed its Booneville, Ark., plant on Easter Sunday. Lopez Foods Inc., Oklahoma City, Okla.-based owner of Carneco, approached Cargill to buy the Columbus facility, John O'Carroll, president of Cargill Value Added Meats, was quoted as saying.

Cargill initially focused on site selection for a new facility, but the company couldn't pass on this opportunity. "We had planned to build a plant in Texas," O'Carroll said, but Cargill instead opted for a "beautiful plant in a great state that is pro-business with a tremendous workforce."

O'Carroll said Cargill will produce frozen and fresh ground beef product for retail and foodservice from the Columbus plant and expects Carneco's current operations to continue without changes.

Carneco produces frozen beef patties, beef chubs and fresh ground beef for fast-casual restaurants, retail outlets and the food service industry.

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