Pleasant Hope beef processing company acquired

Pleasant Hope-based Missouri Prime Beef Packers LLC, which opened a plant in the city in 2021, has been acquired by an out-of-state operation.

Corpus Christi, Texas-based STX Beef Co. LLC, a subsidiary of JDH Capital, is the buyer, according to a news release issued yesterday. The financial terms were undisclosed for the deal in which STX takes over ownership immediately.

"Missouri is home to a thriving beef industry, and we will be focused on delivering reliable service and dependable products to our customers," STX Beef Co. CEO Terry Maul said in the release.

Missouri Prime Beef Packers currently processes roughly 750 head of cattle per day, officials say.

The company opened its 100,000-square-foot plant in early 2021 on 260 acres, according to past Springfield Business Journal reporting. Roughly 150 employees were on board early, with stated plans to ramp up that figure to 275. At the time, Stacy Davies and Derek Thompson owned Missouri Prime Beef Packers.

Officials with STX could not be reached for comment by deadline on how many Missouri Prime Beef Packers employees would transition with the sale. In its Texas hometown, STX operates a 250,000-square-foot plant that processes more than 1,000 head of cattle daily.