Corporate News & Events

Media Contact: Mollie Dreibrodt, 830-456-5886, m.dreibrodt@midan.com

Flavor-forward innovation aims to bring new life to processed meats category and reach
new consumers, beginning Fall 2024

OWENSBORO, KENTUCKY, August 14, 2024 – Kentucky Legend® is launching new bourbon
barrel smoked ham and bourbon barrel smoked bacon products to retail and foodservice
customers this fall. The product innovation builds on the brand’s heritage and
craftsmanship of premium flavor and smoking technique, coupled with its proximity to the
world’s bourbon capital to deliver a flavor-forward offering and re-inspire the processed
meats category.

“Craftmanship has always been the differentiator for Kentucky Legend. That is why it is the
country’s leading boneless ham brand, we’re excited to announce the addition of bourbon
barrel smoked hams and bacon to our portfolio,” said Eric Sheiss, Executive Vice President.
“We worked with partners to upcycle spent and broken bourbon barrels to develop a set of
products with smoked characteristics that are different from anything you find on the shelf
today.”

The results are carefully crafted and indulgent premium hams and bacon. These products
carry the unique combination of the oak from which the barrels are made, the char on the
inside of the barrel, and the subtle complexity of the spicy flavors from the bourbon that
has soaked into the wood – sometimes over years.

“Eighty-one percent of consumers surveyed during concept testing agreed the bourbon
barrels would give the products unique and delicious flavor,” said Bruce Johnson, Vice
President of Marketing & Innovation. “An overwhelming majority [91% for ham, 95% for
bacon] indicated they will purchase the products multiple times per year. We’re excited to
fill their appetite for a new and unique flavor profile that isn’t just for special occasions.”

The new Kentucky Legend Bourbon Barrel Smoked products will be available in:

• Ham: Quarter sliced, half, and whole hams for both retail and foodservice
• Bacon: 16 oz. for retail, and various foodservice configurations

The Kentucky Legend bourbon barrel smoked ham and bacon products will be available
starting September 15, 2024. To order, visit www.kentuckylegend.com or contact your
Indiana Packers/Specialty Foods Group representative.

About Kentucky Legend: The Kentucky Legend brand was created as a premium meat
brand more than 25 years ago and has since become the bestselling smoked boneless ham
and turkey brand in America. Kentucky Legend is owned and operated by Specialty Foods
Group, LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Indiana Packers Corporation. Kentucky Legend’s
full line of products includes hams, turkeys, lunch meat, hot dogs, pork chops and other
premium pork offerings, and can be found in grocery retailers and for restaurants
nationwide. For more information, visit www.KentuckyLegend.com.

About Indiana Packers Corporation: Indiana Packers Corporation (IPC) is a fully
integrated pork processor headquartered in Delphi, Indiana. Sourcing from nearby farms,
IPC manufactures and distributes a variety of products such as fresh pork, bacon and
premium processed hams, under their INDIANA KITCHEN® brand and private-label brands.
These products are sold to a broad customer base in the retail and foodservice sectors,
and distributors across the country. IPC distributes its fresh pork and INDIANA KITCHEN®
premium products to more than 25 countries worldwide. For more information, visit
www.IndianaPackersCorp.com or  www.IndianaKitchen.com

Indiana Packers completes testing of employees and tours county health officials through facility

DELPHI, IN— Indiana Packers Corporation (IPC), a global pork supplier based in Delphi, Indiana, announced plans to resume operations at its Delphi, Indiana, facility with support from the Carroll County Department of Health after working jointly with both the Indiana State Department of Health and the Carroll County Department of Health to complete COVID-19 testing of 2,267 employees and contractors who work in the facility. IPC announced the temporary suspension of operations on Friday, April 24, and completed the employee testing on Friday, May 1.

Carroll County’s top health official, Dr. Jordan Dutter, toured the IPC plant on Wednesday, May 6, and reviewed all the initiatives undertaken to ensure the safety of IPC’s team members.

“I was very impressed with IPC’s ongoing efforts to mitigate the spread of the virus and the Company’s dedication to best ensure the health and safety of its team members,” says Dr. Dutter. “Based upon my tour and review of IPC’s mitigation efforts, I believe the measures taken by IPC will allow those team members to work safely, as IPC continues to follow CDC guidelines and recommendations. I want to reiterate that IPC went to extensive efforts to ensure the safety of their employees, their end product and ultimately the consumers. We at the Carroll County Department of Health recognize IPC’s vital role in the food chain and in the agricultural community and are pleased that the Company is reopening operations. Indeed, the decision to reopen has my full support.”

During the pause in operations, IPC has continued to enhance its mitigation measures and follow CDC and OSHA guidance for the meat processing industry by adding more physical barriers and hand sanitizer dispensers. The plant also underwent multiple steps of deep cleaning and plant-wide sanitization. When production resumes, the company will implement a series of engineered improvements for increased physical distancing that start in the parking lot and entrances. This flow will continue with staggered start and break times. As team members enter the facility, they will be given fitted masks for the mandatory mask policy and there will be enhanced health screenings, including temperature checks, health questions and follow-up checks throughout the day. IPC further engaged with state resources who have expertise in infectious diseases.

“This pause in operations and the testing of our employees was absolutely a critical moment in our ongoing effort to create a safe work environment,” says IPC President and Chief Operating Officer Russ Yearwood. “The safety of our team members, contractors and the community are crucial. We suspected the testing process would generate an increase in positive cases unknown to us, but this was the point. This voluntary testing event identified those who are positive for the virus.”

Through the testing process, IPC identified 301 team members and contractors who tested positive, including those who were asymptomatic. That number’s roughly equal to 13% of the workforce at the facility. The appropriate county health officials have been in communication with all those who tested positive, with instruction for follow-up care and support.

Team members and individuals who received positive test results will be subject to quarantine, based upon the advice of health officials, the affected individual’s health care providers, and in accordance with CDC guidance. The remaining 87% of team members and individuals who received negative test results will be allowed to return to work when we resume operations, assuming they are not symptomatic.

“Thank you to all the dedicated workers at the State Department of Health, Carroll County Health Department, and Indiana National Guard,” says Yearwood. “The healthcare resources provided were invaluable in our ongoing efforts to protect our team members and to begin reopening as expeditiously and safely as possible.”

IPC will start limited operations on Friday, May 8.

For more information on this IPC announcement, please contact:
Jeff Feirick, Vice President Corporate Planning
jfeirick@inpac.com

DELPHI, Ind.— In conjunction with its ongoing health and safety assessment, Indiana Packers Corporation (IPC), a global pork supplier based in Delphi, Indiana, is laying out its plan to resume operations after temporarily suspending production last week at its Delphi, Indiana, facility.

Since that time, IPC has conducted further plant-wide sanitization and worked to implement the latest CDC guidance for meat processing facilities, issued on April 25. This new guidance recognizes employers in the industry have an obligation to manage the continuation of work and to best protect the health and safety of their team members, families, and the general public.

IPC is committed to making the best possible decisions to protect its team members and the community. To help in this process, IPC is working closely with the Indiana State Department of Health and the Carroll County Health Department as it establishes a plan to resume operations. As part of that collaboration, and recognizing the importance of Indiana Packers’ role in the food chain and supporting Hoosier farmers, the State Department of Health is conducting COVID-19 testing for all employees at the Delphi facility.

“This collaboration with the state is absolutely critical to our steps in creating a safe work environment for our team members,” says IPC President & Chief Operating Officer Russ Yearwood. “We are extremely grateful to all the dedicated workers at the State Department of Health and the leadership and support of the Carroll County Health Department for the resources they are committing to help us reopen as expeditiously and safely as possible.”

The testing will start April 30 and is expected to occur over a two-day period, with results thereafter. IPC team members will be contacted either by phone or email to schedule their test. The State Department of Health, working in conjunction with the appropriate county health officials, will be in communication with all those who test positive for follow-up care and investigation.
After employee testing is complete, officials at IPC will identify a date to resume operations.

For more information on this IPC announcement, please contact:
Jeff Feirick, Vice President Corporate Planning
jfeirick@inpac.com

DELPHI, Ind.—Out of an abundance of caution, Indiana Packers Corporation (IPC), a global pork supplier based in Delphi, Indiana, has decided to temporarily suspend operations at its Delphi facility, as part of its ongoing health-and-safety assessments. This decision was made in light of the increasing number of positive tests of COVID-19 in neighboring communities and reports that Indiana is closing in on the expected peak of infections.

“Given the uncertainty so inherent with this pandemic,” IPC President & Chief Operating Officer, Russ Yearwood says, “we are committed to be as proactive as we possibly can so as to best ensure the health and safety of our team members. This short pause is part of the ongoing effort.”

Over the past several months, IPC has implemented a number of CDC-recommended changes, including significant measures to maximize physical distancing, enhanced daily cleaning and sanitization, and team member screenings/temperature checks at the start of each work shift. While those steps were effective, IPC, like many other employers in the state, is not immune to the effects of the pandemic. To date, IPC has had a total of 15 confirmed positive cases.

IPC has determined that now is the appropriate time to temporarily curtail operations. The winding down will be conducted in phases over the coming several days. The temporary suspension is expected to last no longer than two weeks, during which affected employees will be paid. During this time, IPC plans to engage resources with expertise in infectious diseases, conduct further plant wide sanitization and continue implementation of the latest in CDC guidance and industry best practices.

IPC officials recognize the impact this temporary closure will have on the community, including important partners in the farming and agriculture industry. IPC intends to restart operations as soon as possible.

For more information on this IPC announcement, please contact:
Jeff Feirick, Vice President Corporate Planning
jfeirick@inpac.com

Delphi, IN—Indiana Packers Corporation (IPC), makers of INDIANA KITCHEN® premium pork products, today announced it has entered into a definitive agreement and plan to acquire Specialty Foods Group, LLC (SFG) headquartered in Owensboro, Kentucky. SFG is most recognized as the manufacturer and distributor of KENTUCKY LEGEND® premium boneless hams, the leading boneless ham brand in grocery retail across the United States. The acquisition agreement is subject to regulatory approval, approval of the equity holders of SFG, and certain other closing conditions. The sale is expected to close in the third quarter of 2018.

The acquisition will strengthen IPC’s foundation for growth and positions it to leverage valuable synergies relating to raw material utilization, manufacturing and sales and marketing capabilities. IPC is headquartered in Delphi, Indiana, and also operates pork processing facilities in Holland, Michigan, and Frankfort, Indiana. IPC is committed to being a good corporate citizen where it operates, and intends to continue SFG’s legacy of giving back to the community of Owensboro, Kentucky.

“We’re looking for ways to grow our business and adding SFG is strategically on-point,” said Russ Yearwood, President and Chief Operating Officer of Indiana Packers Corporation. “They’re a company with successful brands, outstanding people and smart business strategies. This acquisition will improve our position in a very competitive global protein market.”

About Indiana Packers Corporation: Indiana Packers Corporation (IPC) is a fully integrated pork processor headquartered in Delphi, Indiana. Sourcing from nearby farms, IPC manufactures and distributes a variety of products such as fresh pork, bacon and premium processed hams, under their INDIANA KITCHEN® brand and private-label brands. These products are sold to a broad customer base in the retail and foodservice sectors, and distributors across the country. IPC distributes its fresh pork and INDIANA KITCHEN® premium products to more than 25 countries worldwide. For more information, visit www.IndianaPackersCorp.com or www.IndianaKitchen.com.

About Specialty Foods Group, LLC: Specialty Foods Group (SFG) is an independent producer and marketer of premium branded and private-label processed meat products in the United States. SFG sells a wide variety of products, such as franks, hams, turkey, bacon, luncheon meats and delicatessen meats. These products are sold to a diverse customer base in the retail and foodservice sectors. SFG sells products under a number of leading national and regional brands, such as KENTUCKY LEGEND®, FIELD®, FISCHER’S®, ARTISAN CRAFTED SERIES®, MICKELBERRY’S®, KENTUCKY GOLD® and SCOTT PETE®, as well as private-label brands.

For more information, contact Stephanie Bossung, Vice President of Account Services at NewPoint Marketing, on behalf of Indiana Packers at 765-337-4793 or via e-mail at stephanie@newpointmarketing.com.

Gift marks partnership between pork producer and food-bank supplier

Indiana Packers Corporation (IPC), the makers of INDIANA KITCHEN^® branded pork products, has committed to donating approximately 25,000 pounds of its premium pork products, including pork, ham and bacon to Food Finders Food Bank, Inc.

“It just makes sense for us,” says Russ Yearwood, President and COO of IPC.  “We’re about creating high-quality food that nourishes and sustains our families and communities. Our partnership with Food Finders is about getting that food to the people who need it most. We’re excited about this new partnership.”

While Indiana ranks among the top ten states in the country for agricultural output—and among the top five for pork production—Feeding America states that Hoosiers still experience food insecurity at levels above the national average. According to Feeding America’s latest data, one out of every seven Hoosiers has to deal with food insecurity, which is defined as a state of being without reliable access to adequate nutrition.

“Protein is crucial to a well-rounded diet, especially for growing children,” says Katy Bunder, President and CEO of Food Finders. “And meat is one of the most highly sought-after products for our clients facing hunger as quality protein can eat up a lot of a family’s food budget, so this is a very special donation for us.”

To maximize availability, IPC will donate its premium pork products in installments on a rolling basis throughout the year allowing Food Finders to maintain a steady supply of pork and protein in their inventory.

The first installment of its donation will be delivered during the week of January 29^th.

Food Finders invites others, whether as corporations or individuals, to consider how they could also join forces with them in the fight against hunger. Visit www.food-finders.org for more info.

New swine feed mill project earns distinction from Miami County

Indiana Packers Corporation (IPC), the makers of INDIANA KITCHEN^® branded pork products, has been selected as the 2017 recipient of Miami County’s “Industry of the Year Award.”

Indiana Packers received the award for its development of a new $25-million swine feed mill located on approximately 45 acres just outside of Peru, IN. The 30,000-square-foot facility will be operated by OP Nutrition, LLC—a subsidiary of Indiana Packers.

OP Nutrition is a producer of high-quality nutrient-rich swine feed. For its new feed mill, OP Nutrition will source corn and soybeans from local farmers in nearby counties, including Miami, Wabash and Fulton counties. OP Nutrition expects the new mill to produce approximately 250,000 tons of feed per year, most of which will go to local farms with hogs owned by Oracle Pork—a division of Indiana Packers.

“This new swine feed mill and OP Nutrition are major elements in the continuation of our comprehensive growth strategy,” says Russ Yearwood, President and Chief Operating Officer of Indiana Packers Corporation. “Great pork, bacon and ham begins with great feed, and this new feed mill will allow us to provide our farm partners with the highest quality feed available today.”

From the earliest stages of this project, Indiana Packers found many local and state organizations willing to lend their expertise: the Miami County Economic Development Authority, who assisted with the purchase of property within Miami County Industrial Park as well as facilitating many important steps in making this a successful venture; the Miami County Council, who negotiated supportive tax incentives; and the Indiana Economic Development Corporation, who specifically helped secure the Hoosier Business Investment Tax Credit.

OP Nutrition expects to employ approximately 15 full-time on-site workers for its new feed mill.

The feed mill is expected to begin operations early October 2018.

IPC donates AEDs for entire Carroll County Sheriff’s Fleet

Indiana Packers Corporation (IPC), the makers of INDIANA KITCHEN^® branded pork products, has provided the Carroll County Sheriff’s Office with more than $5,000 worth of new Automated External Defibrillator (AED) equipment. This gift ensures that each vehicle in the Sheriff’s fleet has an AED on hand to respond in life-or-death emergencies involving sudden cardiac arrest.

AEDs are used to treat victims suffering a cardiac arrest. In the United States, an out-of-hospital cardiac arrest occurs approximately once every 90 seconds. AEDs can evaluate heart rhythm and emit an electric shock to the heart if necessary to restore a normal beat.

“In many situations, the difference between life or death is a matter of minutes or even seconds,” says Carroll County Sheriff Tobe Leazenby. “Since our deputies are often first responders, our team is extremely grateful for this gift. This generous donation from Indiana Packers enables our Sheriff’s Deputies and Reserve Deputies to provide emergency medical care in situations when speed is absolutely vital.”

For victims of sudden cardiac arrest, time is especially of the essence.

According to the Center for Disease Control, brain death or permanent death can occur in just four to six minutes after a cardiac arrest, and a victim’s chances of survival decrease 7 to 10% percent with each minute that goes by without CPR and defibrillation. The Carroll County Sheriff and all of Sheriff’s Deputies are trained to administer both.

“We’re proud to partner with our Sheriff’s Office to safeguard the health of our community,” says Russ Yearwood, President and Chief Operating Officer of Indiana Packers Corporation. “Indiana Packers values the first responders of Carroll County—whether they be police officers, firefighters, EMTs or one neighbor looking out for another—and we’re happy to support them in this endeavor.”

Indiana Packers Corporation (IPC), the makers of INDIANA KITCHEN^® branded pork products, is officially opening its new 99,000-square-foot cold storage distribution center, alongside its existing pork-production plant in Delphi, Indiana.

“Without question, this expansion is a major milestone in our company’s growth strategy,” says Russ Yearwood, President and Chief Operating Officer of Indiana Packers Corporation. “The expansion allows us to improve inventory logistics, speed up our delivery capacity, and most importantly, better serve our growing regional and global customer base.”  The project was officially completed early last month.

Key to the project were several infrastructure improvements, including a traffic study and roadway reconstruction, enabling Indiana Packers Corporation to optimize its existing property. These infrastructure improvements were a result of close collaboration between Indiana Packers and groups like the Carroll County Economic Development Corporation, the Carroll County Redevelopment Commission and the City of Delphi.

The cold-storage distribution center will further advance Indiana Packers’ business and INDIANA KITCHEN^â brand strength in a very competitive pork-production industry by significantly improving the company’s inventory-management capabilities.

At the same time, it also reinforces the company’s relationship with the community. “The $23 million project and our recent $40 million dollar bacon expansion, demonstrates our long-term commitment to investing in Carroll County and supporting economic development,” adds Yearwood.

Indiana Packers expects the new distribution center to create approximately 50 new job openings, primarily forklift operators, warehouse coordinators and team supervisors.

Visit to Showcase Manufacturing Heritage, Forge Ties with Ship’s Namesake

Future crew members of the USS Indiana—the first naval vessel to be named after the state in 70 years—will tour Indiana Packers Corporation on the morning of Tuesday, November 7, 2017, as part of the USS Indiana Commissioning Committee State Tour.

Part of a grand send-off, the tour is meant to demonstrate true Hoosier hospitality to the crew members of the USS Indiana and help them forge strong connections to their vessel’s namesake by introducing them to Indiana’s rich manufacturing, agricultural and military heritage.

In addition to touring the facility, USS Indiana crew members will be welcomed by a contingent of armed forces veterans from Indiana Packers.

“It’s truly an honor to be able to host these members of the crew of the USS Indiana at our production headquarters,” says Russ Yearwood, President of Indiana Packers. “We hope we can provide them with a memorable experience to take on board their ship—that in the ways that matter most, Hoosiers are just like them—generous and hardworking, quick to help and ready to serve.”

In tow with the crew will be a large replica of the USS Indiana for display. The actual vessel is a 377-foot-long, 36-foot-wide nuclear-powered submarine that weighs over 7,820 tons and is largely a product of Indiana manufacturing. More than 100 Indiana manufacturers contributed to making of the vessel.

A Virginia-class submarine, the USS Indiana is equipped with sophisticated surveillance technology and weaponry and designed for a broad spectrum of missions, including assisting NATO allies, gathering intelligence and deploying Navy SEALs to land for special ops.

Once launched, the submarine will circumnavigate the globe many times over the next 32 years—the operational lifetime of one load of nuclear fuel.