West Liberty Foods expands product line
West Liberty, Iowa-based West Liberty Foods L.L.C., a manufacturer serving private label and foodservice customers, said it expanded and diversified its product line with the startup of beef-cutting operations at its Bolingbrook, Ill., location. In its initial phase of operation, the facility is producing value-added hand-cut and machine-cut steaks such as t-bones, ribeyes, Kansas City strips and New York strips. The Bolingbrook facility is also producing hamburger; pork chops; and boneless, skinless flavored chicken breasts.
Ed Ligas is directing the venture as vice president of beef operations, West Liberty Foods said. A 30-year veteran and respected expert in the meat cutting industry, Ligas and his family founded Stampede Meat in Bridgeview, Ill.
“The startup of this beef operation at Bolingbrook is significant for our continued growth and product diversification,” said Ed Garrett, president and CEO of West Liberty Foods. “In directing this exciting new venture, Ed Ligas is a perfect addition to our team. His wealth of knowledge and expertise in beef-cutting operations allows us to expand our product offerings for both new and existing customers.”
By incorporating the most rigorous food safety programs in the industry, the Bolingbrook facility is capable of producing millions of pounds of beef each month through the addition of 25 employees and numerous production lines, West Liberty Foods said.
According to Ligas, West Liberty Foods’ marketing efforts will target the retail, home delivery, foodservice and fast casual foods segments.
“It was clear through our market research there remains a great demand for quality value-added beef products — we had nearly two months of orders before we even started production,” Ligas said. “At West Liberty Foods, we’re thrilled to supply that demand, but we’re also extremely pleased to bring more economic benefit to Northeastern Illinois.”
Ligas also stated that production and start-up operations have been running smoothly.
“The product being graded is of amazing quality and consistency. The team we’ve assembled has been extraordinary and has far exceeded expectations,” he said.
The move is the latest round of expansion and diversification at the Illinois facility since West Liberty Foods purchased the shuttered facility from Quantum Foods in June 2014. West Liberty said it resumed plant operations last summer, and in November 2014 announced construction plans for a 170,000-square-foot cold storage facility that represents an economic investment of more than $20 million to the local economy. The cold storage facility will be operational in spring 2016.