Walmart on Tuesday announced it will open its first-ever fully owned and operated case-ready beef facility in Olathe, Kan. in 2025. The facility will package and distribute a selection of Angus cuts to serve in Walmart stores across the Midwest.
The retailer will invest $257 million in the 330,000-square-foot plant and create 667 new permanent jobs. Construction of the facility also will create 1,000 design, fabrication, and construction jobs — a welcome development for many Kansas business advocates.
“Projects like this one bring much-needed jobs to Kansas,” said Kansas Chamber President & CEO Alan Cobb. “The importance of economic development can’t be overstated, and a capital investment of this size will have a notable impact in our great state.”
According to Walmart, its customers are seeking greater transparency in the supply chain and high-quality offerings available at an affordable price. The retailers says the case-ready facility will increase needed capacity in the beef industry and allow Walmart to offer high-quality items for its customers while keeping up with demand.
“At Walmart, enhancing quality is integral to how we innovate,” said David Baskin, Senior Vice President, Deli, Meat & Seafood at Walmart. “Once opened, our case-ready beef facility in Olathe will mark an important next step in our journey to create an end-to-end Angus beef supply chain, ensuring our customers have access to the high-quality meats they expect at the everyday low prices they rely on.”
The facility will be designed and built by McCownGordon Construction. The company looks forward to working with the largest retailer in the U.S. on the project.
“Walmart’s innovative case-ready beef facility further positions the Kansas City Metro as a growing hub for manufacturing,” said Jeff Roy — Senior Vice President of McCownGordon’s National Manufacturing Business Unit — in a press release. “We’re excited to expand our presence here serving the growing base of food and beverage manufacturing clients.”
Kansas Governor Laura Kelly hopes technological advances in the food supply chain will continue to reshape the industry.
“Walmart’s innovative new facility further solidifies Kansas’ position as one of the nation’s top food and agriculture states,” Kelly said.
Walmart operates 83 retail stores and employs 22,178 associates in the state of Kansas. In fiscal year-end 2022, the retailer’s stores, clubs and the Walmart Foundation gave $8.8 million in cash and in-kind donations to local Kansas organizations. More information on Walmart’s investment in Kansas can be found here.
