George’s Inc. has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Ozark Mountain Poultry Inc. (OMP).
The proposed transaction is expected to close in the fourth quarter of 2018. The financial terms of the agreement were not disclosed.
OMP produces antibiotic free and non-GMO chicken products, servicing the retail and foodservice channels with its Forester Farmers Market brand. The company has facilities throughout Arkansas, employs over 1,800 people, and processes more than 1.2 million chickens per week.
“I have known Gary George (the company chairman) and the George family for 35 years,” Ed Fryar, the founder of OMP, stated in a press release. “He is a person for whom I have tremendous admiration and respect. I think the acquisition of OMP will equally benefit George’s and the team members of OMP because our cultures fit. Additionally, it will enhance our position in the marketplace.”
Charles George, co-chief executive of George’s, said “This acquisition further diversifies our portfolio, allowing us to grow in the retail segment with a trusted brand.”
“The ability to provide today’s consumer with affordable antibiotic free and non-GMO poultry products is very important to our overall strategy, Carl George, co-chief executive of George’s added.
Potential changes in Top Poultry Companies rankings
Founded in the 1920’s, George’s is a fourth-generation family owned and operated poultry and prepared foods company headquartered in Springdale, Arkansas. With more than 5,300 team members, vertically integrated poultry operations in Arkansas, Missouri, and Virginia, and prepared foods operations in Arkansas and Tennessee, George’s is the 11th largest poultry producer in the United States.
George’s, according to WATT PoultryUSA’s Top Broiler Companies rankings , produced 22.5 million pounds of ready-to-cook chicken on a weekly basis in 2017. OMP is the nation’s 21st largest broiler producer, having processed 6.3 million pounds of ready-to-cook chicken on a weekly basis in 2017.
Based on 2017 figures alone, George’s, with the OMP acquisition, would surpass House of Raeford Farms in the rankings. House of Raeford is presently ranked ninth. The tenth ranked company, Keystone Foods, is being acquired by the leading broiler company, Tyson Foods, with that transaction expected to close during the company’s 2019 fiscal year.
