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Tyson Foods Breaks Ground at Site of Future Incubation Center

Company to invest more than $31 million in high-tech broiler hatchery

Springdale, Ark. – May 5, 2015 – John Tyson, chairman of Tyson Foods, Inc. (NYSE: TSN), along with Springdale Mayor Doug Sprouse and company board members and executives broke ground today on the future site of a new incubation center. The completed project will deliver hatching operations for the company’s northwest Arkansas broiler chicken business.

“We have a rich heritage in Springdale and we’re proud to continue our tradition of investment here with the new incubation center,” Tyson said.  “Since we’re a company that’s always looking for ways to be better, world-class innovation will be a key part of this building.”

The incubation center will be located at the corner of East Huntsville Avenue and North Monitor Road in east Springdale and will be built with an emphasis on technology. The company plans to install robotics to assist with worker safety and ergonomics, and use state-of-the-art ventilation and internal environmental controls. The facility will be built with the latest advances in biosecurity measures, which is designed to help promote better overall bird health.

“John Tyson and the Tyson family have made the revitalization of downtown Springdale a priority. Even though this project isn’t officially ‘downtown,’ it’s at the end of Emma Avenue and is proof of Tyson Foods’ commitment to our town,” said Mayor Doug Sprouse. “The City of Springdale is honored to be home to Tyson Foods and we’re grateful for this additional investment.”

The project calls for more than 75,000 square feet of new construction, which is scheduled to be complete in mid-2017. Operations at the Incubation Center will replace the company’s hatchery in Lincoln, Arkansas and the hatchery on Randall Wobbe Road in Springdale, which has been in operation since the 1960s. About 35 people will be employed at the incubation center once it’s fully operational. 

In October, the company announced that it would renovate property in the city’s downtown, including its original headquarters located at 319 E. Emma Ave., and the adjacent building at 317 E. Emma Ave. A new two-story, 44,000 square-foot structure will be constructed on the site, preserving the original frontage. Workspace for more than 200 people will be created by the project, which is scheduled to be completed in the second half 2017.

Tyson Foods employs more than 6,000 people in Springdale and nearly 23,000 people in Arkansas. More than 1,700 family farmers in the state to grow chickens for its operations. The company also purchases cattle, pigs, grain, diesel and other utilities in Arkansas, and estimates its annual statewide economic impact at more than $1.6 billion.

About Tyson Foods

Tyson Foods, Inc. (NYSE:TSN), with headquarters in Springdale, Arkansas, is one of the world's largest food companies with leading brands such as Tyson®, Jimmy Dean®, Hillshire Farm®, Sara Lee®, Ball Park®, Wright®, Aidells® and State Fair®. It's a recognized market leader in chicken, beef and pork as well as prepared foods, including bacon, breakfast sausage, turkey, lunchmeat, hot dogs, pizza crusts and toppings, tortillas and desserts. The company supplies retail and foodservice customers throughout the United States and approximately 130 countries. Tyson Foods was founded in 1935 by John W. Tyson, whose family has continued to lead the business with his son, Don Tyson, guiding the company for many years and grandson, John H. Tyson, serving as the current chairman of the board of directors. The company currently has approximately 113,000 Team Members employed at more than 400 facilities and offices in the United States and around the world. Through its Core Values, Code of Conduct and Team Member Bill of Rights, Tyson Foods strives to operate with integrity and trust and is committed to creating value for its shareholders, customers and Team Members. The company also strives to be faith-friendly, provide a safe work environment and serve as stewards of the animals, land and environment entrusted to it.

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 Media Contact: Worth Sparkman, worth.sparkman@tyson.com or 479-290-6358