Taiwanese pork processor ready to open after delay

Taiwan-based pork processor Tai Shin Foods & Frozen Industrial Co. is opening its only U.S. plant in the small Polk County community of Pleasant Hope. The plant originally was supposed to open in 2001, leading many to wonder about the delay.

Once in full swing, the 74,000-square-foot facility will slaughter and package up to 2,000 swine a day. Plant Manager Todd Mowery said the plant at 5305 Highway H would start with about 250 employees processing about 500 hogs a day, with a scale-up to 300 employees and full operations within a year.

The operational delay has sparked rumors that Tai Shin has run out of money and that Buffalo, Mo.-based Petit Jean Poultry is looking to buy the plant.

Both Mowery and Petit Plant Manager Frank Sanderson said that was untrue.

See SBJ’s May 22 issue for more on the Tai Shin plant and reasons for its delayed opening.[[In-content Ad]]