AR: Ozark Mountain Poultry Opens Batesville Facility, Hiring 250

Ozark Mountain Poultry (OMP), a vertically integrated poultry company based in Rogers, Ark. celebrated the opening of its newly expanded operations in Batesville, Ark. with a ribbon cutting. The facility opened Monday, Nov. 11.

OMP will employ approximately 250 people from the Batesville area when it begins operations and anticipates employment numbers will rise as production capacity increases. OMP currently produces more than 1.5 million pounds of antibiotic free poultry per week at its Rogers facility for the restaurant industry and its consumer-based brand, Forester Farmer’s Market. With the addition of Batesville, that number will double to approximately 3 million pounds per week.

“We are thrilled to be part of the Batesville community and to expand operations in our home state,” said Dr. Ed Fryar, CEO, Ozark Mountain Poultry. “Our goal when we founded the company 13 years ago was to provide affordable, premium, quality chicken to families. With the purchase of the Batesville site, we will be able to meet the growing demands of consumers for healthy, antibiotic free chicken.”

Pilgrim’s Pride announced plans to close the facility earlier this year. “As part of our long-term growth strategy, Ozark Mountain Poultry continuously evaluates opportunities to better serve our customers, employees and investors,” added Fryar. “We believe the acquisition of the Batesville facility was a smart decision for our business and those we serve.”

“Ozark Mountain Poultry is making an investment in Batesville that brings with it a qualified, dedicated workforce,” said Grant Tennille, executive director of the Arkansas Economic Development Commission. “Batesville has shown resiliency as a community through the recent loss of jobs at this facility. Thanks to Ozark Mountain Poultry for its investment in Batesville and its people.”

Company leaders anticipate a two-week transition period to retrofit the facility with new equipment, perform needed building renovations and allow additional time for local family farmers to raise the antibiotic free chicken to OMP specifications.

For more information about Ozark Mountain Poultry, visit www.ompfoods.com.

About Ozark Mountain Poultry

OMP Foods is a family-owned company based in Rogers, Arkansas. The company’s poultry processing operation, Ozark Mountain Poultry, produces more than 1.5 million pounds of antibiotic free poultry per week for the restaurant industry and its consumer based brand Forester Farmer’s Market.  The company also operates Customer Link, a creative sales and marketing company focused on product/brand development, planning and sales and marketing. OMP Foods employs approximately 600 employees. Additional information about the company can be found by visiting www.ompfoods.com.