Though nothing concrete has been announced, indications point to few initial changes to the Emporia pet food plant at when Simmons Pet Foods acquires Menu Foods late this year.
Simmons, an Arkansas chicken and pet food company, announced Monday it was acquiring Menu for roughly $234 million. It was not immediately clear how that would impact current employees in Emporia, which numbered 256 at last count by the Regional Development Association.
Simmons is not taking direct questions about the future until after the sale is complete, but the company did release a new statement that implied the plant would be kept in business.
“Although we can’t specifically comment on the transaction prior to closing, we can say that Simmons purchasing philosophy is to run and grow businesses that we acquire,” said Mark Simmons, chairman of Simmons Foods.
Menu’s corporate office in Canada isn’t aware of what Simmons is planning. But C. Ian Ross, Menu Foods chairman of the board, said Thursday the Emporia office is the most modern of the three plants.
For the full story, pick up Friday's Emporia Gazette.
d23_66801 (anonymous) says...
well goodbye fanistils have fun moving to lebo! and we'll see what happens to menu!
August 12, 2010 at 5:06 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
reddog (K. B. Thomas Jr.) says...
At the Lyon County Commissioner meeting this morning, it was reported that we might lose some taxes because of the sale.
August 12, 2010 at 11:41 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
b3bill (anonymous) says...
Could someone explain why the taxes could be less because of the sale?
August 13, 2010 at 9:15 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
sail (anonymous) says...
This could be a good move for EMPORIA.
August 13, 2010 at 9:21 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
neighbor (anonymous) says...
A Canadian owned company comes to the USA to avoid the very high taxes at home, then sells out to avoid paying the community back that helped them build the facility thru property tax abatements................ And this is a surprise to you?
I know several employees of the company that left other long time Emporia businesses and industries for pie in the sky options at Menu. I wonder if they still think they made the right choice and are bragging about their futures now?
August 13, 2010 at 1:21 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Blue_Dog (anonymous) says...
Not really sure why the sale should impact local property taxes. but that comment on Radio this a.m. implied that it had to do with taxes on equipment (manufactoring equipment) not Real Estate taxes.
August 13, 2010 at 1:45 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Steve_Corbin (anonymous) says...
Reddog
Are you sure they were talking about simmons and not fanestils?
Fanestil moves due to the terms of their FEMA grant. Their old building valued at $550,000.00 must be torn down. So we will lose property taxes on that property for sure, and possibly equipment taxes. If that company moves to Lebo, the county will lose property tax money.
OR maybe we will have to give Simmons a new 10 year tax abatement to keep the Emporia plant open? I don't know, my head hurts:-(
August 13, 2010 at 3:10 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
oh4theluvof (anonymous) says...
Steve_Corbin (anonymous) says...
"I don't know, my head hurts:-( "
This is the only thing I've read on here in the past three days that I understand.
August 13, 2010 at 3:59 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
giggles (anonymous) says...
Steve_Corbin (anonymous) says...
"I don't know, my head hurts:-( "
This is the only thing I've read on here in the past three days that I understand.
I literally laughed out loud at this...it is so true. :-(
August 13, 2010 at 4:04 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )