West Liberty Foods, a company owned by members of the Iowa Turkey Growers Cooperative, has diversified its product line with the startup of beef cutting operations at its location in Bolingbrook, Illinois.
In its initial phase of operation, the facility is producing value-added hand-cut and machine-cut steaks such as t-bones, ribeyes, Kansas City strips and New York strips, reported the Muscatine Journal. The Bolingbrook facility, which the company acquired in 2014 when it acquired the assets of bankrupt Quantum Foods, is also producing hamburger, pork chops and boneless, skinless, flavored chicken breasts.
“The startup of this beef operation at Bolingbrook is significant for our continued growth and product diversification,” said Ed Garrett, president and CEO of West Liberty Foods.
The Bolingbrook facility has added 25 employees and numerous production lines.
West Liberty Foods’ marketing efforts will target the retail, home delivery, food service and fast casual foods segments
Mostly known as a turkey company, West Liberty Foods slaughtered 221.51 million pounds of live turkeys in 2014, an increase of 5.2 million pounds or 2.3 percent. In addition to being a leading turkey producer, West Liberty Foods is a private-label manufacturer and foodservice supplier of sliced deli meats and frozen meat products. The company in December 2014 announced plans to build a 160,000 square foot cold storage distribution center with room for further expansion in Bolingbrook.
