Springdale, Arkansas-based George’s Inc., a fourth generation family owned and operated poultry and prepared foods company, has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Ozark Mountain Poultry Inc. (OMP) of Rogers, Arkansas.
OMP was founded in 2001 and has facilities in Rogers and Batesville in northeast Arkansas. OMP produces antibiotic free and non-genetically modified organism (GMO) chicken products, servicing the retail and foodservice channels with its Forester Farmers Market brand. The company employs more than 1,800 people, and processes more than 1.2 million chickens per week.
“I have known Gary George and the George family for 35 years,” OMP founder Ed Fryar said in a statement. “He is a person for whom I have tremendous admiration and respect. I think the acquisition of OMP will equally benefit George’s and the team members of OMP because our cultures fit. Additionally, it will enhance our position in the marketplace,” Fryar said.
“Right now Mr. Fryar is Chairman of the Board of Ozark Mountain Poultry,” according to a company spokeswoman. “At this time, we are not able to comment on his future plans as details are still be worked out on the transition.”
Charles George, co-chief executive of George’s, said “this acquisition further diversifies George’s portfolio, allowing it to grow in the retail segment with a trusted brand.”
“The ability to provide today’s consumer with affordable antibiotic free and non-GMO poultry products is very important to our overall strategy,” Carl George, co-chief executive of George’s, added.
Charles and Carl George, fraternal twins, were promoted from senior vice presidents to co-CEOs in April 2013.
Founded in the 1920s by C.L. George, the company has more than 5,300 team members, vertically integrated poultry operations in Arkansas, Missouri and Virginia and prepared foods operations in Arkansas and Tennessee. George’s is the 11th largest poultry producer in the United States. The company produced 22 million pounds of ready-to-cook chicken on a weekly basis in 2018.
