Tyson teams up with Neil Young. Also this week: Burke Corp., Kold-Draft, Pierre Foods, Advance Food Co., Advance Brands LLC, Skyy Spirits, Constellation Brands, E&J Gallo, Diageo, Pate Dawson Co., Meat and Seafood Solutions LLC, Wixon Inc.
SPRINGDALE, Ark. — Tyson Foods chairman John Tyson has teamed up with rock legend Neil Young to help feed residents of Gulf Coast communities impacted by the BP oil spill. Tyson Foods said it would donate 100,000 pounds of chicken products in conjunction with concerts that Young is planning to give in late September in Mobile, Ala.; Panama City and Pensacola, Fla.; and Biloxi, Miss. Concert attendees also will be encourage to bring nonperishable food items, which, along with the chicken, will be donated to the Bay Area Food Bank, which serves Alabama, Florida and Mississippi.
NEVADA, Iowa — William Burke Sr., founder of Burke Corp., died last month at the age of 81. Burke, who served in the U.S. Army in Korea, worked for and then acquired Supreme Foods in Ames, Iowa, changing the name to Pronto Food Kitchens and later Burke Corp.. The company focused on the production and marketing of custom precooked pizza toppings. In 1984 Burke moved the business to Nevada, Iowa, where he implemented new technologies and introduced new product lines.
ERIE, Pa. — Ice machine manufacturer Kold-Draft has remodeled and refurbished the company’s 124,000-square-foot headquarters here. The renovation includes 40,000 square feet of dedicated space for the manufacture of the newly introduced ISB Ice Bagging System. It also includes upgraded facilities that will house all equipment, raw materials and parts for manufacturing, the renovation of all offices, research and technology areas, and a new employee cafeteria.
CINCINNATI, Ohio — Pierre Foods said it is merging with Advance Food Co. Inc. and Advance Brands LLC. The new company will be called Advance Pierre Foods and will supply value-added protein and handheld convenience food products to the foodservice, vending, club and convenience store channels. The deal is expected to close within a couple of months. Oaktree Capital Management LP, a Los Angeles-based investment firm and the current majority shareholder in Pierre Foods, will maintain a majority stake in the combined company.
FRISCO, Texas — Casual-dining chain T.G.I. Friday’s honored its top beverage suppliers at its 2010 Supplier Summit in Frisco, Texas. The honorees were Skyy Spirits — Beverage Innovation; Constellation Brands — Development/Education; E&J Gallo — Development/Education; and Diageo — Product Innovation and Support.
GOLDSBORO, N.C. — Pate Dawson Co., a foodservice distributor based here, named Bill Mutton president of its new Meat and Seafood Solutions LLC subsidiary. Meat and Seafood was created to operate the assets of the recently acquired Southern Foods Group. Mutton will report to Pate Dawson's chief executive, Malcolm Sullivan.
SAINT FRANCIS, Wis. — Wixon Inc., a food and flavor products manufacturer based here, appointed Ed Becerra as vice president of operations. In his new role, Becerra will oversee all aspects of manufacturing, including safety, quality, cost-effective manufacturing, and management of production personnel. He has more than 25 years of manufacturing and management experience.