NEWS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 16, 2013
NORTH AMERICAN LEADING BEEF PLANT WILL SHOWCASE ALBERTA BEEF
$18 Million State-Of-The-Art Renovation Planned by Vesta Holdings for Harmony Beef Processing Facility near Calgary
CALGARY, Alberta –Alberta will soon have a new, state-of-the-art beef processing plant to showcase Alberta beef in major markets all over the world. Vesta Holdings will invest more than $18 million renovating the former Rancher’s Beef facility on the outskirts of Calgary with a firm commitment to make it not only the highest quality beef producer, but also the most safe and environmentally progressive processing plant in North America.
“Alberta beef herds possess the best genetics in North America, a fact that we intend to highlight by opening new markets for our quality products outside the United States,” said Rich Vesta, CEO of Vesta Holdings, who has a signed agreement with current owner Sunterra Farms to close the purchase Nov. 1.
Mr. Vesta brings enormous experience and deep expertise to this project. The 47-year industry veteran retired two years ago as US Beef Division President of global industry giant JBS, responsible for more than $11 billion in annual revenues. During an illustrious career, he has led operations and financial turnarounds at some of the largest and best known US beef production facilities. He has now relocated to Airdrie to lead the new effort.
The former Rancher’s Beef facility, located just north of the city near Balzac in Rocky View County, will re-open as Harmony Beef after renovations are completed in about six months. It will initially process approximately 700 cattle per day in a state-of-the-art, high technology facility. One aspect of the technology, for example, is a European water recycling capability to ensure that the plant the plant uses dramatically less water than similar-sized facilities in North America. Similar technology upgrades are planned to maximize worker and food safety, humane animal handling, and data collection.
The plant will employ more than 275 people and contribute significantly to the County tax base. It is also expected to provide a major economic boost worth tens of millions of dollars annually to the Alberta cattle industry, since it is designed to produce superior beef that can be distributed throughout the world. It will be the only plant of its size in Canada certified for distribution to the European Union.
The original plant is quite new, and so provides a high quality base on which Vesta Holdings can build. “This unique opportunity offers tremendous potential for Alberta and its cattle industry because no one could ever build a similar quality facility from scratch and make it work financially,” said Mr. Vesta.
“We aim to be the employer of choice, delivering products of the highest quality under the industry’s safest conditions while operating in the most environmentally advanced manner possible, “ added Mr. Vesta. “Ranchers - and our customers - can count on it.”
For further information, please contact:
Rich Vesta, (970) 673-5177
Rich.Vesta@vestaholdings.net
Crosbie Cotton
ccotton203@aol.com
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 16, 2013
NORTH AMERICAN LEADING BEEF PLANT WILL SHOWCASE ALBERTA BEEF
$18 Million State-Of-The-Art Renovation Planned by Vesta Holdings for Harmony Beef Processing Facility near Calgary
CALGARY, Alberta –Alberta will soon have a new, state-of-the-art beef processing plant to showcase Alberta beef in major markets all over the world. Vesta Holdings will invest more than $18 million renovating the former Rancher’s Beef facility on the outskirts of Calgary with a firm commitment to make it not only the highest quality beef producer, but also the most safe and environmentally progressive processing plant in North America.
“Alberta beef herds possess the best genetics in North America, a fact that we intend to highlight by opening new markets for our quality products outside the United States,” said Rich Vesta, CEO of Vesta Holdings, who has a signed agreement with current owner Sunterra Farms to close the purchase Nov. 1.
Mr. Vesta brings enormous experience and deep expertise to this project. The 47-year industry veteran retired two years ago as US Beef Division President of global industry giant JBS, responsible for more than $11 billion in annual revenues. During an illustrious career, he has led operations and financial turnarounds at some of the largest and best known US beef production facilities. He has now relocated to Airdrie to lead the new effort.
The former Rancher’s Beef facility, located just north of the city near Balzac in Rocky View County, will re-open as Harmony Beef after renovations are completed in about six months. It will initially process approximately 700 cattle per day in a state-of-the-art, high technology facility. One aspect of the technology, for example, is a European water recycling capability to ensure that the plant the plant uses dramatically less water than similar-sized facilities in North America. Similar technology upgrades are planned to maximize worker and food safety, humane animal handling, and data collection.
The plant will employ more than 275 people and contribute significantly to the County tax base. It is also expected to provide a major economic boost worth tens of millions of dollars annually to the Alberta cattle industry, since it is designed to produce superior beef that can be distributed throughout the world. It will be the only plant of its size in Canada certified for distribution to the European Union.
The original plant is quite new, and so provides a high quality base on which Vesta Holdings can build. “This unique opportunity offers tremendous potential for Alberta and its cattle industry because no one could ever build a similar quality facility from scratch and make it work financially,” said Mr. Vesta.
“We aim to be the employer of choice, delivering products of the highest quality under the industry’s safest conditions while operating in the most environmentally advanced manner possible, “ added Mr. Vesta. “Ranchers - and our customers - can count on it.”
For further information, please contact:
Rich Vesta, (970) 673-5177
Rich.Vesta@vestaholdings.net
Crosbie Cotton
ccotton203@aol.com
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