Pilgrim’s to Build New Prepared Foods Facility, Creating 630 New Jobs in Walker County, Georgia
Pilgrim's (NASDAQ:PPC) has announced a significant expansion in Georgia with a $400 million investment to construct a new prepared foods facility in LaFayette, Walker County. The facility will create over 630 new jobs at full capacity and will produce fully cooked chicken products to support the company's growing prepared foods business.
Construction is scheduled to begin in fall 2025, with hiring expected to commence in 2027 following the completion of the first phase. The project will expand Pilgrim's brands including Just Bare, Pilgrim's, and Gold Kist, supporting increased demand in retail and foodservice channels. The company currently maintains seven food production facilities in Georgia and supports approximately 7,500 jobs in the state.
Pilgrim's (NASDAQ:PPC) ha annunciato un'importante espansione in Georgia con un investimento di 400 milioni di dollari per la costruzione di un nuovo stabilimento di prodotti alimentari pronti a LaFayette, nella contea di Walker. La struttura creerà oltre 630 nuovi posti di lavoro a piena capacità e produrrà prodotti di pollo completamente cotti per supportare la crescita del business dei prodotti alimentari pronti dell'azienda.
La costruzione è prevista per iniziare nell'autunno 2025, con l'assunzione del personale che dovrebbe partire nel 2027 dopo il completamento della prima fase. Il progetto amplierà i marchi di Pilgrim's, tra cui Just Bare, Pilgrim's e Gold Kist, sostenendo la crescente domanda nei canali retail e foodservice. Attualmente l'azienda gestisce sette impianti di produzione alimentare in Georgia e supporta circa 7.500 posti di lavoro nello stato.
Pilgrim's (NASDAQ:PPC) ha anunciado una expansión significativa en Georgia con una inversión de 400 millones de dólares para construir una nueva planta de alimentos preparados en LaFayette, condado de Walker. La instalación generará más de 630 nuevos empleos a plena capacidad y producirá productos de pollo completamente cocidos para apoyar el crecimiento del negocio de alimentos preparados de la compañía.
La construcción está programada para comenzar en el otoño de 2025, y se espera que la contratación inicie en 2027 tras la finalización de la primera fase. El proyecto ampliará las marcas de Pilgrim's, incluyendo Just Bare, Pilgrim's y Gold Kist, apoyando la creciente demanda en los canales minoristas y de servicios alimentarios. Actualmente, la empresa mantiene siete plantas de producción de alimentos en Georgia y respalda aproximadamente 7,500 empleos en el estado.
Pilgrim's (NASDAQ:PPC)가 조지아주에 4억 달러 규모의 투자를 통해 워커 카운티 라페이에 새로운 조리식품 공장을 건설하는 대규모 확장을 발표했습니다. 이 시설은 최대 가동 시 630개 이상의 신규 일자리를 창출하며, 회사의 성장하는 조리식품 사업을 지원하기 위해 완전히 조리된 닭고기 제품을 생산할 예정입니다.
건설은 2025년 가을에 시작될 예정이며, 첫 번째 단계가 완료된 후인 2027년부터 채용이 시작될 것으로 예상됩니다. 이 프로젝트는 Just Bare, Pilgrim's, Gold Kist 등 Pilgrim's 브랜드를 확장하여 소매 및 외식 채널에서 증가하는 수요를 지원할 것입니다. 현재 회사는 조지아주에 7개의 식품 생산 시설을 운영하고 있으며, 주 내 약 7,500개의 일자리를 지원하고 있습니다.
Pilgrim's (NASDAQ:PPC) a annoncé une expansion majeure en Géorgie avec un investissement de 400 millions de dollars pour construire une nouvelle usine d'aliments préparés à LaFayette, dans le comté de Walker. L'installation créera plus de 630 nouveaux emplois à pleine capacité et produira des produits de poulet entièrement cuits pour soutenir l'activité croissante de l'entreprise dans les aliments préparés.
La construction devrait commencer à l'automne 2025, avec un recrutement prévu à partir de 2027 après l'achèvement de la première phase. Ce projet permettra d'étendre les marques de Pilgrim's, notamment Just Bare, Pilgrim's et Gold Kist, afin de répondre à la demande croissante dans les circuits de la vente au détail et de la restauration. L'entreprise exploite actuellement sept sites de production alimentaire en Géorgie et soutient environ 7 500 emplois dans l'État.
Pilgrim's (NASDAQ:PPC) hat eine bedeutende Erweiterung in Georgia angekündigt mit einer Investition von 400 Millionen US-Dollar zum Bau einer neuen Fertiglebensmittelfabrik in LaFayette, Walker County. Die Anlage wird bei voller Kapazität über 630 neue Arbeitsplätze schaffen und vollständig gegarte Hähnchenprodukte herstellen, um das wachsende Fertiglebensmittelgeschäft des Unternehmens zu unterstützen.
Der Baubeginn ist für den Herbst 2025 geplant, die Einstellung von Personal soll nach Abschluss der ersten Phase im Jahr 2027 beginnen. Das Projekt wird die Marken von Pilgrim's, darunter Just Bare, Pilgrim's und Gold Kist, ausbauen und die steigende Nachfrage im Einzelhandel und im Gastronomiesektor unterstützen. Das Unternehmen betreibt derzeit sieben Lebensmittelproduktionsstätten in Georgia und sichert etwa 7.500 Arbeitsplätze im Bundesstaat.
- Major $400 million investment demonstrates strong growth commitment
- Creation of 630 new jobs at full capacity
- Expansion of prepared foods business to meet growing retail and foodservice demand
- Strategic location in Georgia strengthens existing regional presence of 7,500 jobs
- Long timeline with hiring not beginning until 2027
- Multi-phase construction could face potential delays or cost overruns
Insights
Pilgrim's $400M Georgia facility expansion signals strategic growth in higher-margin prepared foods while creating 630 jobs.
Pilgrim's
The multi-phase facility in LaFayette will create 630 new jobs at full capacity, meaningfully expanding Pilgrim's workforce in Georgia beyond its current estimated 7,500 positions across seven existing production facilities. Construction is scheduled to begin in fall 2025 with hiring starting in 2027 following completion of the first phase.
This investment demonstrates a calculated vertical integration strategy, leveraging Pilgrim's existing relationships with local poultry growers while expanding downstream into more profitable prepared products. By producing fully cooked chicken products, Pilgrim's is pursuing margin expansion opportunities compared to raw commodity chicken.
The facility's placement in Walker County Business Park suggests infrastructure advantages and possibly tax incentives through the partnership with the Walker County Development Authority and Georgia Department of Economic Development. The competitive project designation in the release indicates Pilgrim's likely received economic development incentives to locate in Georgia versus alternative locations, potentially enhancing the investment's ROI.
GREELEY, Colo., July 24, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Pilgrim’s, one of the world’s leading food companies, today announced it will invest
“Georgia's No. 1 industry of agriculture continues to drive growth with companies like Pilgrim’s creating quality jobs in communities like LaFayette,” said Governor Brian Kemp. “As our state's economy continues to advance, we are excited to see these continued innovations and the opportunities they will bring for hardworking Georgians.”
Pilgrim’s is a leading global provider of high-quality food products. Across Georgia, the company currently supports an estimated 7,500 jobs and operates seven food production facilities, in addition to supporting facilities like feed mills and hatcheries.
“Expanding the Pilgrim’s footprint in Georgia highlights our ongoing commitment to the region and our company’s long-term growth strategy,” said Fabio Sandri, Pilgrim’s CEO. “This significant investment will allow further growth of our prepared foods business by expanding brands like Just Bare, Pilgrim’s, and Gold Kist, and supporting increasing demand in retail and foodservice channels. We are also proud of our role in creating jobs and being a strong community partner.”
The new facility, located at the Walker County Business Park in LaFayette, will produce a variety of fully cooked chicken products to support the growth of its fast-growing prepared foods business. The project is expected to get underway in the fall of 2025, and hiring is expected to begin in 2027, aligning with the expected completion of the first phase of construction. To learn more about Pilgrim’s, including where interested individuals can apply for jobs, visit jobs.pilgrims.com.
“We welcome Pilgrim's to Walker County and LaFayette,” said LaFayette Mayor and Chairman of the Walker County Development Authority Andy Arnold. “Pilgrim’s has a wonderful history of positive community involvement, and the creation of up to 630 jobs for our area is a game changer for many families. We look forward to our partnership.”
“This is a tremendous opportunity for Walker County to provide stable jobs and long-term security for residents who want to work where they live,” said Chairwoman and CEO Angie Teems, Walker County Government. “Not only is this a well-respected company with a strong track record, but it already has a presence in our community through its partnerships with local poultry growers. Expanding their operations here is a natural next step that will strengthen our local economy and reinforce our county’s commitment to supporting hardworking families.”
Senior Regional Project Manager Lori Dowdy represented the Georgia Department of Economic Development’s (GDEcD) Global Commerce team on this competitive project in partnership with the Walker County Development Authority and Georgia Quick Start.
“We are excited that Pilgrim’s continues to grow its footprint and drive economic opportunities here in Georgia,” said GDEcD Commissioner Pat Wilson. “Agriculture has long been the backbone of our economy, laying the groundwork for today’s thriving food and beverage sector. Critical industries like cold storage and logistics build on that legacy, generating jobs and opportunities across the state. Congratulations to Walker County for helping bring these new investments and possibilities to LaFayette.”
About Pilgrim’s
Pilgrim’s employs over 61,000 people and operates protein processing plants and prepared-foods facilities in 14 states, Puerto Rico, Mexico, the U.K, the Republic of Ireland, and continental Europe. The Company’s primary distribution is through retailers and foodservice distributors. For more information, please visit www.pilgrims.com.
Media Contact:
Nikki Richardson
Corporate Communications
nikki.richardson@jbssa.com
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