Pilgrim’s renovations will add 100 jobs

RUSSELLVILLE — Pilgrim’s Pride’s poultry processing plant is undergoing a total overhaul that when completed will create 100 additional jobs.

The overhaul includes replacing aged equipment and upgrading automation as well as installing new freezers and labeling machines.

“It’s a very big deal for our community and that area,” Plant Manager Peyton Sammons said of the project. “We’re pretty much renovating our entire processing plant from front to back. We’re investing into the Russellville complex to have more advanced equipment to better serve team members and customers.”

While the overhaul is taking place, the plant was closed for a two-week period. Operations will resume March 23.

Sammons said to keep Pilgrim’s employees from having to file for unemployment due to this temporary layoff, those who wanted to remain on the payroll were allowed to participate in community service projects on a volunteer basis.

“We have team members working in the surrounding communities and cities performing tasks from landscaping to picking up trash,” Sammons said. “Some are helping out at the plant. We are 100% taking care of our team members during this down time to make sure there’s no impact on them.”

As one of the largest employers in Franklin County, Sammons said the plant changes should make a statement to community leaders.

“We’re invested in the future,” he said. “We’re here to stay. When we invest this much, obviously, we’re not going anywhere.”