MORRILTON, Ark. – Pork processor and wholesaler Morrilton Packing Co. plans to expand operations at its existing facility. Morrilton Packing is the parent company of Petit Jean Meats.

Morrilton Packing will invest $2.1 million to expand capacity to accommodate current and future products, including a new line of meat snacks. The company expects to create 34 new jobs bringing total employment at the facility to more than 100 workers.

“Morrilton Packing Co. has called Arkansas home for almost a century,” David Ruff, Morrilton Packing president and CEO, said in a statement. “The Petit Jean Meats brand is known throughout the state for its taste and quality. This expansion would not be possible without our loyal customers and our dedicated employees who believe in this company.”

Petit Jean Meats is a family owned company founded in the 1920s by Felix Schlosser, who immigrated to Arkansas from Germany. According to Morrilton Packing, it is the only privately owned red-meat processor still operating in Arkansas. The company produces ham, bacon, sausages, hot dogs and sandwich meats including bologna.

Morrilton Packing sells meat products online to customers across the country, however most of its products are sold to retail and foodservice operations in Arkansas and Texas.