Smithfield Foods, Inc., Smithfield, Va., acquired Kansas City Sausage Co., LLC, a Kansas City, Mo.-based producer of pre-rigor sausages. In 2013, Smithfield formed a 50/50 joint venture with the company.

"This latest acquisition will build on the success of our growing packaged meats business and brands. It simultaneously enhances our vertically integrated supply chain, further harmonizing our live production and processing capabilities," says Kenneth Sullivan, president and CEO of Smithfield Foods. "With this transaction, we will strengthen our focus on branded pre-rigor pork products and leverage Smithfield's expansive sales and distribution network to bring these premium offerings to more consumers."

"This full acquisition further supports the growth of several key packaged meats categories, including breakfast and fresh dinner sausage, as well as Italian-style meal solutions like meatballs," says Joseph Sebring, president, packaged meats division of Smithfield Foods. "Kansas City Sausage produces some of Smithfield Foods' fastest growing products, including Smithfield Breakfast Sausage, Smithfield Craft Collection Seasonal Brats and Carando Meatballs. In fact, Carando currently boasts the fastest selling fresh meatball in the U.S."

KC Sausage maintains operations in Kansas City and Des Moines, Iowa, where it produces premium raw materials for sausage, as well as value-added products, including boneless hams. The Kansas City plant is the newest and said to be the most modern sausage processing facility in the United States, designed for optimum efficiency to provide retail and foodservice customers with high-quality products.