EMPORIA, Kan. – A new production line at a Tyson Foods plant brought 16 new jobs along with it.

The company announced the conclusion of a line-expansion project at its prepared-foods plant in Emporia, Kan. The line, which cost an estimated $3 million, will make product for a national foodservice customer, the company said. The Emporia plant, one of Tyson Foods’ specialty-meat plants, produces value-added raw cuts of beef, pork and chicken for foodservice and retail customers.


The project included a new room to house the line, modifications to existing refrigeration and installation of new equipment, according to a press release from Tyson. IBP inc., which was acquired by Tyson Foods in 2001, bought the Emporia facility from Armour & Co. in 1967. The plant was converted into a specialty-meats facility in 2008 and currently about 950 people work there. Payroll for fiscal 2013, the most recent full year available, was more than $31.5 million.

“We’re glad we can make products to meet our customer’s needs,” said Mike Fiehler, complex manager. “Any time we invest in our facility, it’s an investment in Kansas and Emporia. We want to thank the Kansas Department of Commerce for all they did to help make the expansion project possible.”

The Kansas Department of Commerce provided qualified tax credits for new capital investment and training credits to help the company build and maintain its workforce.