Contact:  Karen Luebke, Executive Assistant
Phone: (319) 627-6329
Email:  karen.judisch-luebke@wlfoods.com

For Immediate Release



West Liberty, IA / West Liberty Foods, L.L.C., a leading co-packer, private label manufacturer and foodservice supplier of sliced, processed meat and poultry products, has announced construction of their fourth facility in Tremonton, Utah.  The complex will continue to emphasize food safety through its state-of-the-art design.

This complex will consist of a 93,000 sq ft. fabrication facility and a 74,000 sq ft. slice facility.  At full capacity, the plant will be able to further process more than 100 million lbs. of protein products per year, in addition to 36 million lbs. of chicken.  These facilities will be the first of their kind to cook and slice 120” long slicing logs in North America.  No slaughter will take place on the premises.

Governor Jon M. Huntsman Jr. said, "I couldn't be more pleased about West Liberty Foods' decision to make this very significant investment and expand its operations in Utah."

West Liberty Foods has continued its alliance with Millard Refrigerated Services of Omaha, Nebraska to build an adjacent 50,000 sq ft. cold storage warehouse that will include both refrigerated and frozen capacities.

“This is an exciting time for our company as we branch out to the western marketplace,” said Ed Garrett, President and CEO.  “The ready-to-eat chicken line will provide us the opportunity to introduce and service new product lines to our current customers.”

Garrett credited Tremonton City Officials, the State of Utah, EDCU and the Box Elder County Economic Development for rallying behind the project.  “We couldn’t have asked for better support.”

The new facility is expected to create more than 500 new jobs in the Tremonton, Box Elder County area. Groundbreaking for the new facility is scheduled for August, 2006, with production to begin in July, 2007. 

Forward-Looking Statements:
Certain statements contained in this communication are “forward-looking statements” such as statements relating to anticipated time frames for the opening of the new facility, the production capacities of the facility, the number of jobs to be created, the markets, the facilities will service and the growth and marketing of products.  These forward-looking statements are subject to risks, uncertainties and other factors, which would cause actual results to differ materially from historical experience of from expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Among the factors that may cause actual results to differ from those expressed in, or implied by, the statements are the following: (i) market conditions for finished products, including the supply and pricing of alternative proteins, and the demand for alternative proteins; (ii) successful rationalization of existing facilities, and the operating efficiencies of the facility (iii) changes in the availability and relative costs of labor, including changes in accounting standards, environmental laws, occupational, health and safety laws; (iv) effectiveness of advertising and marketing programs; and (v) the effects of, or changes in, general economic conditions.  The Company wishes to caution readers not to place undue reliance on any forward- looking statements, which speak only as of the date made.  West Liberty Foods undertakes no obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.