Ohio co. buys Barber Foods of Portland
An Ohio company has acquired well-known Portland frozen foods company Barber Foods, a move expected to result in layoffs.
AdvancePierre Foods yesterday announced it acquired Barber Foods, which manufactures and distributes frozen chicken products, for an undisclosed price, according to a press release. AdvancePierre Foods CEO Bill Toler said the acquisition will expand his company's products in the retail, food service and convenience store markets, as well as its East Coast presence. According to the Portland Press Herald, AdvancePierre Foods plans to invest millions to modernize and automate the Portland facility, which will mean a "significant" reduction in the company's 650-person work force over the next year, Barber President David Barber told the paper. The facility will remain open, but production will be consolidated on fewer lines. Some corporate positions will be relocated to AdvancePierre's facilities in Cincinnati or Oklahoma, though Barber and his sister, Vice President of National Account Sales Julie Barber, will remain on staff.
Barber said the acquisition allows Barber Foods to lower operating costs and compete with large distributors. The family-run business, known for its stuffed chicken products, was founded in 1955 by Barber's father, Augustus Barber, and gained recognition for hiring immigrants. In 2009, the company told Mainebiz its annual revenue was more than $100 million.
AdvancePierre, the result of an October 2010 merger between Pierre Foods, Advance Food Co. and Advance Brands, sells value-added protein products like sandwiches and cooked meat products to the food service, retail, school, vending and convenience store markets. It has about 4,000 employees, and would not disclose financial information.
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