Source: Lisa M. Keefe, MEATINGPLACE, 9/1/15


As part of Smithfield Foods’ reorganization plan, the company’s livestock production subsidiary, Murphy-Brown LLC, will soon be known as the Smithfield Hog Production Division.

The name change is cosmetic only, company officials told the Laurinburg Exchange newspaper, with no plans to change operations or employment.

“We’ve always been part of Smithfield,” Don Butler, vice president of government relations and public affairs for Smithfield Hog Production Division, formerly Murphy-Brown, told the newspaper. “We’re just leaving the Murphy-Brown name behind. It’s part of a larger Smithfield initiative called 'One Smithfield.’”

Smithfield began a reorganization process last February, when it realigned its various operating entities into four divisions. Smithfield Foods was purchased in 2013 by what is now WH Group, a group of investors that also own large meat production facilities in China.  

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