Koch buys Tyson Foods' poultry plants


Springdale, Arkansas: Tyson Foods, the world's largest meat processor, has sold two of its Alabama poultry plants to Koch Foods for an undisclosed sum. The sale, which includes the processing plants in Ashland and Gadsden, as well as a feed mill and a hatchery, is part of the group's plan to reduce production of commodity chicken. "Our company has become more focused on value-added chicken production, which typically involves producing boneless, marinated or cooked products," said Bill Lovette, Tyson senior group vice president of poultry and prepared foods.