Walmart develops own beef supply chain
It announced it would be working with “best-in-class partners” to supply Angus beef to its stores.
Through the scheme, a selection of Angus beef cuts, such as steaks and roasts from this supply chain, would be sold in 500 Walmart stores across a number of states in the south east, including Georgia, Alabama and Florida.
Walmart beef supply chain
Bob McClaren of 44 Farms and Prime Pursuits will source cattle raised on family farms and ranches.
Mc6 Cattle Feeders will feed them.
Creekstone Farms will process the cattle at their facility while FPL Foods will operate the case-ready packing facility.
The retailer’s new supply chain effort will create more than 250 jobs in Kansas at Creekstone Farms’ beef processing facility with another 200-plus jobs in Georgia where the retailer owns a case-ready facility that will be run by FPL Food.
“As clean labels, traceability and transparency become more and more important to customers, we’ve made plans to enter into the beef industry, creating an unmatched system that allows us to deliver consistent quality and value,” said Scott Neal, senior vice president of meat at Walmart.
“By enlisting a number of best-in-class companies to take part in the supply chain, we’ll be able to provide customers with unprecedented quality, provide transparency throughout the supply chain and leverage the learnings we gain across our business.”
In this process, the retailer will be working with production partners including Prime Pursuits, Mc6 Cattle Feeders and Creekstone.
“No bigger paradigm change has taken place in the beef industry than what is happening with Walmart bringing truly high-quality, all-natural, no-hormones-added Black Angus beef to its customers. This bold vision gives Walmart a special place at the table by contributing to the most enjoyable and memorable moments in the lives of its customers,” said Bob McClaren of Prime Pursuits.
“Walmart has listened to its hard-working customers and taken on the monumental task of providing steakhouse-quality, natural Black Angus beef to their local stores,” said Hank McWhorter, president of Mc6 Cattle Feeders. “This bold vision will not only elevate backyard barbeques and family dinner tables across the country, but transform the entire supply chain.”
François Léger, president and CEO of FPL Food, added: “Walmart’s ever-growing command presence in retail paints an optimistic future, one that proves beneficial for many involved. In addition to FPL employees, this will provide many opportunities for the agriculture community to include farmers, ranchers and cattlemen alike. The positive impact will be felt by many.”
