Select Genetics held an open house and ribbon-cutting ceremony for its new hatchery in Terre Haute, Indiana.
Key local officials, the economic development corporation, industry representatives and members of the community joined Select Genetics on August 15 in celebrating the opening of this new facility.
The highlight of the day was touring through the largest turkey hatchery in the world. Visitors were able to see a facility that was built with the highest standards for hatching and delivering the best quality poults. Currently equipped to set over 41 million eggs a year, its full capacity is 60 million eggs. The design incorporated thought processes similar to a hospital to prevent the introduction of diseases and to ensure the welfare of the birds.
Steve Witt, president of the Terre Haute Economic Development Corporation, led the ribbon-cutting ceremony. The program included Judy Anderson, president of the Vigo County Commissioners and Rick Burger, president of the Vigo County Redevelopment Commission. Also speaking were Jihad Douglas, president of Aviagen Turkeys and CEO of Select Genetics and Rick VanderSpek, chairman of the board for Select Genetics.
Rick VanderSpek stated: “This hatchery is the result of good partnerships. From the initial discussions with customers and site selection through design and construction it has taken many people working together to get us where we are today. It has been exciting to watch this project progress and we’re looking forward to hatching poults in September.”
Douglas thanked the crowd of over 150 for joining in the special day noting that “I’m very proud of this hatchery and the hard work that the people here in Indiana have done to bring this project to fruition. We appreciate the local community and the state of Indiana working with us to find the site and secure the resources to get the project underway. Thank you to L. B. Smith & Associates and to Jamesway Incubator Company for working with us on the design and equipment. Finally, we appreciate the working relationship that we have with Garmong Construction, and their ability to take those designs and build this facility.
Douglas concluded, “Our customers were the driving force to build this new hatchery. We needed to build a facility to produce high quality poults in proximity to their operations. We are fortunate to have owners that are committed to investing in infrastructure and the future of the turkey industry. Working together we have come a long way and we’re pleased to be an integral part of this industry and this community.”
