Our speaker, Mustafo Abdille from Jennie-O gave a great presentation on the history of the company and it's on going values.
Two visionaries from humble beginnings were pioneers in establishing companies in the Midwest that would evolve into leading companies in the turkey industry. Earl B. Olson of Murdock, MN and Wallace Jerome of Barron, became Jennie-O Turkey Store, Inc., headquartered in Willmar, MN a wholly owned subsidiary of Hormel Foods Corp.
Who They are Today-
-Based in Willmar, MN and subsidiary of Hormel Foods Corp.
-One of the world's largest turkey processors
-Sell over a billion dollars worth of turkey annually, distributing more the 1,500 products throughout the United States and 26 countries.
-They employ nearly 7,000 team members throughout the United States
-They manage all segments of the supply chain from egg to the finished product.
-187,000 sq. ft. of production facility located in the center of the City of Faribault.
-800 team members: 41% Somali, 38% Hispanic, 17% Caucasian, 5% Asian and 1% other.
-Heritage of developing innovative equipment and processes that improve team member safety, food safety, and add positive revenue contributions to the bottom line.
The Faribault Plant was built in the 1950s and has been a series of additions and remodels since then. Most recent was a 10-day automation project late spring. They currently harvest 29,000 toms each day. They are budgeted for 2.4 million pounds of value-added production per week as well as 6 million pounds of de-boned product per week. in 2015 they made 31 millions pounds of turkey product and in 2011 100 million.
They believe in fostering a culture of transparency and accessibility. It means that from day one, team members have a direct line to the upper management. It is encouraged to reach out, share ideas, and connect. Every voice matters. There is an open door policy to ensure every voice is heard. They believe inclusivity breeds empowerment. When employees feel included, they are more likely to feel empowered and confident in their roles. This empowerment fosters a sense of belonging and loyalty, making it a natural magnet for professionals who seek not only a job, but a supportive community.
At Jennie-O there is a deep commitment to being a responsible member of the community. They believe in giving back in meaningful ways, demonstrating their dedication to the area they call home.
