Cargill Invests $5.5M in Case-ready PA Plant
Cargill is investing $5.5 million in new equipment technology at its Hazleton, Pa., case-ready meat packaging facility, citing a recent increase in demand by retailers throughout the region.
The upgrade will increase the plant’s efficiency and improve its product quality and ergonomics for workers, the meat supplier said.
New equipment ranges from an automated product line dedicated to making specific products for its customers, to an integrated network to centralize monitoring of equipment performance and production. A new automated system for weighing boxes and labeling products is being installed, as well as equipment to automatically construct shipping boxes.
“Our team of 640 dedicated people takes a great deal of pride in producing excellent meat products that meet our customers’ expectations and provide consumers with wonderful protein-rich eating experiences,” said Aaron Humes, Cargill complex manager at Hazleton. “We always strive for excellence, and this new equipment will enable us to improve our performance, while also providing better ergonomics for workers by having a machine produce items that were previously made by hand. This investment will allow us to remain competitive and show what we can do to benefit our customers and their meat cases.”
Established as part of Hazleton’s Humboldt Industrial Park in 2002, Cargill’s 230,000-square-foot facility produces meat products throughout the northeastern U.S.