Beef Plant to Open in Polk Co.

Pleasant Hope, MO — 14 Dec. 2020 — Missouri Prime Beef Packers is set to begin

production at the end of January 2021 in Pleasant Hope, Mo. The existing facility is more than

100,000sq/ft and last operated as a pork processor. It is currently undergoing extensive upgrades

and modifications to accommodate both fed and non-fed beef cattle.

With the eyes of the community fixed on another round of construction, co-owner Derek

Thompson highlights an experienced team as the primary assurance of success. “People are your

number one asset”, says Thompson. “We have found experts in their respective fields to fill key

positions at the plant. We would put our team against any in the country.”

Led by the 41 years of experience of lifelong beef processor Nick Paschkov, COO,

Missouri Prime Beef Packers aims to establish a lasting place in the community. “The ownership

has shown their commitment to the longevity and success of this plant by empowering us to use

our experience to design a state-of-the-art beef processing plant that will be a model for future

facilities”, Paschkov states. “This company emphasizes food and employee safety and product

quality over volume production, and our design accounts for that.”

The plant will have the capacity to process 500 head per day and will custom process

cattle for a variety of niche programs that emphasize a connection between the consumer and the

producer. “People want to know where their food comes from, and this smaller plant will provide

branded beef programs an opportunity to increase their market share”, says co-owner Stacy

Davies.

Director of Operations, Mike Schmeling, describes the Pleasant Hope facility as the ideal

size of a processing plant for producing a quality beef product. “We are not a big plant that is

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solely focused on the number of head processed per hour.” He continues, “We are flexible. We

can respond to market changes, consumer demands, or other unexpected factors like COVID-19

as well as, if not better than, anyone in the industry.”

With the construction phase well underway, the management team has shifted their focus

to further developing their team. Pam Johnson, Director of Human Resources, is working

tirelessly with the Missouri Prime Beef Packers ownership and management team to develop a

culture that focuses on employee prosperity. “Here we focus on doing the right thing: for the

employee, the animal, the consumer”, Johnson says. “We are going to take care of our team

members. The owners and management team have fully embraced the ‘show me’ culture, and

they want to show current and potential team members that they will be taken care of. We are

offering great pay and benefits as well as continued encouragement to improve and learn new

skills. As people strive to grow, they will be rewarded.”

If you have interest in supplying cattle, buying product, or if you are seeking

employment, please visit www.missouriprimebeef.com or call (417) 462-6727.

There will be a job fairs at the facility in Pleasant Hope on Monday, December 14, 2020,

from 9am-6pm and Wednesday, December 16, 2020, from 9am-6pm.