Allen Harim Foods LLC is looking to expand its chicken processing operations with the prospective acquisition of Pinnacle Foods' former Vlasic pickle processing facility in Millsboro, Del.
Doug Freeman, spokesman for Allen Harim Foods, told Delaware State News the group is expecting a closing date between April 15–30. Cost of the acquisition, including production costs, is roughly $100 million, he said.
In 2011, Korea's largest agribusiness, Harim USA, which oversees Allen Harim, purchased the 92-year-old family-owned Seaford poultry company, Allen Family Foods Inc.
Ed Kee, secretary of Delaware's Department of Agriculture, told reporters if everything goes as planned, the facility will begin operations by November 2014.
Allen Harim operates poultry processing facilities in Harbeson, Del. and Cordova, Md.; breeding operations in Liberty, N.C.; and a hatchery, feedmill and corporate office in Seaford, Del.
Once in operation, Allen Harim's plant in Millsboro is expected to employ about 700 people. The Vlassic plant had about 200 employees.
