MEMPHIS — Monogram Food Solutions LLC has acquired Muncie, Indiana-based Al Pete Meats, the company announced on May 12.

Monogram, a Memphis-based manufacturer of branded processed meats already owns the King Cotton, Circle B and Trail’s Best brands of meat products. Al Pete Meats is the manufacturer and distributor of Pete’s Pride Meat Products, according to Monogram Foods.

Monogram said the acquisition is the second major acquisition the company has made since it was founded in 2004. The company bought Trail’s Best Meat Snacks from Sara Lee Corp. in 2006, including a manufacturing plant in Chandler, Minn.

Monogram’s move into Indiana will likely add as many as 75 more people to its current 225-person employee roster, said Wes Jackson, president of Monogram Food Solutions.

The company said it has invested more than $3 million in the Muncie operation since it assumed management of the plant in early 2008. Sales from the plant have grown to $20 million on an annualized basis from less than $2 million annually. According to Jackson, Monogram plans to continue to grow the Muncie plant by improving its manufacturing and technology equipment and adding products to its production line.

"The Al Pete Meats acquisition is a perfect fit for Monogram," said Karl Schledwitz, chairman and chief executive of Monogram. "Our goal is to integrate Al Pete Meats into Monogram’s system as the company continues to execute its National Growth Platform. Monogram will continue to provide consumers with top-quality regional and nationally distributed meat products."

Monogram Food Solutions was founded five years ago when a group of Memphis investors bought King Cotton and Circle B Brand foods from Sara Lee Corporation, returning the brands to Memphis where King Cotton was founded nearly 75 years ago. King Cotton and Circle B brands continue to be among the leading brands of hot dogs, corn dogs, bologna, and smoked sausage in Memphis and the mid-South.

In 2006, Monogram acquired Trail’s Best Meat Snacks from Sara Lee. The company’s products, all made in the United States, also include well-known name-brand products such as Jeff Foxworthy Jerky, Bass Pro Uncle Buck’s Licensed Products, and Trail’s Best Meat Snacks. Monogram now operates facilities in Tennessee, Minnesota, and Indiana.