North Side Foods To Expand Cumming, GA Operations

Expansion to Add 55 Jobs and Allow Company to Double Production Capacity

Cumming, GA - North Side Foods, a producer of fully-cooked pork sausage products and a subsidiary of Smithfield Foods, today announced plans for an expansion of its manufacturing facility located in Cumming, Georgia.

"For several years the Cumming plant has been experiencing significant growth and the time has come for us to expand our operations here," said Robert Hofmann, president of North Side Foods. "We are looking forward to continuing this growth pattern to better serve our customers, further expand our workforce and continue to contribute to the community."

The expansion, set to be completed by December 2006, will increase processing and warehouse space by more than 40,000 square feet to allow North Side Foods to double its current production of fully-cooked breakfast sausage. The new production line will include space for additional increases, and will utilize new automation to help North Side to continue improving their processes. In addition, the expansion will allow the company to hire more than 55 new employees who will be trained with the help of Georgia's "Quick Start" program.

"North Side Foods has been a proud member of the business community of Central Georgia for more than 15 years and this expansion is a sign of our ongoing commitment to the region," said Ken Schneider assistant vice president of operations for North Side Foods. "The expanded production line will utilize advanced manufacturing processes that will allow us to continue to provide the best product in the business in a more efficient and environmentally-friendly way."

Another testament to the company's continuing success in Cumming, North Side Foods was recently honored by the Forsyth-Cumming Chamber of Commerce as the 2006 Small Business of the Year.

"Businesses like North Side Foods impress the Chamber with their growth, direction and commitment to the community. Last year, North Side Foods created 50 new jobs and they are poised to do the same this year with the expansion. That's why the Chamber honored them as the 2006 Small Business of the Year," said James McCoy, president and CEO of Cumming-Forsyth County Chamber of Commerce. "We are excited for our entire community and thrilled to see to a longtime corporate citizen continue to grow and make significant investments in Forsyth County."

SOURCE: North Side Foods