Valley beef processor grows once again with purchase of factory from global company
A Hanford-based meat processor has purchased the Cargill Meat Solutions beef plant in Fresno, positioning itself as one of the top California beef producers.
Brian Coelho, chief executive officer of Central Valley Meat, is the driving force behind the acquisition that will add additional capacity and allow the company to better meet the industry’s evolving trends. The value of the purchase was not disclosed.
“Our decision to acquire the Cargill Meat Solutions beef processing facility in Fresno, California aligns with our long-term vision of strengthening our offerings to better serve the needs of our customers,” Coelho said in a statement. “We’re excited to work alongside cattle producers in the state and region to continue delivering quality beef products for our customers and consumers.”
Over the past several years, Coelho has made some head-turning purchases — including the 2019 acquisition of Harris Ranch Beef, which has a slaughterhouse plant in Selma and the iconic feedlot in Coalinga that is spread out over nearly 800 acres along Interstate 5 in western Fresno County.
Coelho said in a statement that he is committed to retaining as many employees as possible. The Central Valley Meat Holding Company employs more than 2,000 people at four different companies: Central Valley Meat, Harris Ranch Beef, Harris Ranch Feeding and CLW Foods.
Cargill’s plant employs 880 workers that produce various beef products. Not part of the deal is Cargill’s sister plant, located also on South Fig Avenue south of Fresno, that manufactures ground beef and hamburger patties.
“With this sale, Cargill’s priorities were to place as many of our workers as possible into jobs and to retain the beef processing capacity for California producers,” said Chuck Miller, Cargill spokesperson.
Cargill, a global company operating in 70 countries, employs more than 1,600 workers in California in factories producing protein, salt, animal nutrition and food ingredients.
