Beef Products Inc. officials recently announced plans to embark on a staggering $400 million expansion projected to create 300 new jobs by the year 2010 at their flagship facility in South Sioux City, Neb.

Since its founding in 1981, BPI has emerged as a global leader in the manufacture of ground beef while becoming the leading producer of boneless lean beef in the world. Beef Products President and CEO Eldon Roth attributed the company's remarkable growth to hard work, dedicated personnel, and a share of good fortune.

“BPI's continued growth is possible because our employees understand the importance of an old-fashioned work ethic,” said Roth. “Their commitment to this company and this community inspire us each and every day.”

While recent expansion and construction announcements at BPI are nearing completion, the company confirmed an additional, independent four-phase expansion focused on the implementation of internally developed processes and technologies which have already been patented. These advances will lead to BPI’s investment in the aggressive development of new products and the pursuit of new markets.

“In an effort to meet increasing consumer demand for safer and healthier products, BPI has been actively engaged in the research and development of processes and products that reduce or eliminate food-borne pathogens and decrease fat content, while actually enhancing flavor,” said Richard Jochum, BPI Corporate Administrator.

Jochum reports that BPI’s four-phase expansion will begin with a $20 million cooked meats / pizza topping initiative intended to open new markets to a series of the company’s emerging product lines. The second phase is expected to represent a $15-$20 million investment in a state of the art utilities facility. With centralized utility operations and consolidated monitoring equipment, the corporation expects to realize significant energy efficiencies.

Company executives anticipate the two initial phases will break ground in the spring of 2007.

Phases three and four remain under development, but include a new production facility for ground beef, as well as a product enhancement facility. Phase three represents a capital investment projected at approximately $175 million and will create nearly 100 new jobs. Expected to take the production of lean ground beef to a “whole new level,” company executives are still determining whether to market this new line of ground beef products independently or to engage an existing food company in a co-packing alliance.

Phase four calls for the construction of a “proprietary new injection enhancements facility” focused on strengthening the quality of BPI’s product line with improved safety and health technologies, as well as improving flavor.

Operations in phase four will include the introduction of a line of high-quality, enhanced steaks and cooked meats. With a capital investment estimated between $150 and $200 million, phase four anticipates the creation of an additional 200 employment opportunities.

In addition to their significant and ever-growing presence in the United States, BPI’s products can be found in Canada and Mexico, with expansion plans for Central America, Europe and Pacific Rim countries.

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