JANUARY 7, 1999

SALE OF WILLOW BROOK FOODS FINAL

SPRINGFIELD, MO

MCMI Foods Inc. and a group of Willow Brook Foods managers have completed their purchase of the Willow Brook Foods subsidiary from Tyson Foods, Inc. The sale, which includes the Willow Brook Foods processing operations in Springfield, MO and the Schweigert Foods processing operation in Albert Lea, MN was completed on December 31, 1998. Tyson acquired the Springfield and Albert Lea operations when they merged with Hudson Foods in 1998. Willow Brook Foods was created when Tyson decided to divest themselves of the Hudson operations that did not focus on chicken products, Tyson's primary product line.

MCMI Foods, Inc. has formed a Missouri corporation named PLF Meats, Inc. that will encompass both purchased operations. The Springfield operation will continue to do business as Willow Brook Foods and the Albert Lea operation will continue to do business as Schweigert Foods.

Mike Briggs, President of PLF Meats, Inc. stated "We are extremely excited about being part of MCMI Foods. The tremendous synergies that now exist within the company will create significant opportunity for growth."

MCMI Foods, Inc., headquartered in San Antonio, Texas is a holding company that owns several food companies including a turkey processing operation in Fredricksburg, Texas that markets products under the Sunday House brand. Sunday House is the leader in premium quality smoked turkeys and is known for producing a complete line of smoked meats.

Willow Brook Foods employs over 1,500 associates in Southwest Missouri, Northern Arkansas and Eastern Oklahoma. Their operations are comprised of a feed mill, turkey growing farms, a hatchery, a breeder operation, and a turkey slaughter facility acquired by Hudson in 1979 and a further processed facility for turkey, pork, beef, and chicken built in 1990. Schweigert Foods employs over 300 associates in Minnesota. Their operation, which was acquired by Hudson in 1990, produces further processed pork, beef, chicken, and turkey products.

PLF Meats, Inc. will continue to market products under the Willow Brook Farms, Gourmet Recipe, Schweigert, and Carving Station brand names to supermarket delis, supermarket meat departments and foodservice operations.

 

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