Bakalars Sausage Co. to Acquire Schweigert Brand

Bakalars Sausage Co. has inked a deal to acquire the Schweigert brand of meat products from Wichita, Kan.-based Cargill Turkey & Cooked Meats. The deal is expected to close in October; terms were not disclosed.

“We are delighted Bakalars will continue the tradition of producing the quality Schweigert products so many consumers have come to love,” said John Niemann, president of Cargill Turkey & Cooked Meats.  “Schweigert is a good fit for Bakalars and will provide their firm with incremental growth, while concurrently allowing us to expand other types of processing at Albert Lea to meet customer needs.”

Production will shift from Cargill’s Albert Lea, Minn., meat processing facility to the Bakalars plant at La Crosse, Wis., enabling Cargill to expand its remaining operations at Albert Lea. The Schweigert brand was acquired by Cargill in 2008 with its purchase of Willow Brook Foods.

Added Bakalars President Mike Bakalars, "This is a wonderful addition to our portfolio of specialty meat items, and provides our business with another strong regional brand that complements our existing product line while strengthening and expanding our business."