Bakalars Sausage Co. has entered into an agreement to acquire the Schweigert brand of hot dogs, braunschweiger, summer sausage and breaded chicken products from Cargill Turkey & Cooked Meats, according to a news release.
The transaction is expected to be completed in October, according to Tuesday’s release. Financial terms between Bakalars and the Wichita-based Cargill operation were not disclosed.
As a result of the acquisition, production is expected to be shifted from Cargill’s Albert Lea, Minn., meat processing facility to the Bakalars plant at La Crosse, enabling Cargill to expand its remaining operations at Albert Lea, the release said. The Schweigert brand was acquired by Cargill in 2008 as part of its purchase of Willow Brook Foods.
“This is a wonderful addition to our portfolio of specialty meat items, and provides our business with another strong regional brand that complements our existing product line while strengthening and expanding our business,” said Mike Bakalars, president of Bakalars Sausage. “We are excited about Schweigert’s growth potential and the fact that, like our business, it was founded in the 1930s and it includes an established consumer brand.”
When contacted Tuesday, Cargill spokesman Mike Martin said the company’s workforce in Wichita, which totals about 1,000, would not be affected by the deal.
“We look at this as a win-win for both companies,” Martin said. “Schweigert has been a good brand for us, but Cargill has a more broad focus with our portfolio. Schweigert is a good fit for Bakalars.”
Based in Minnesota, Cargill has more than 150,000 employees in 67 countries. Established in 1935, Bakalars is a regional wholesale meat company that distributes its products to outlets throughout the Midwest.
Source: La Crosse Tribune
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