US-based food company Hormel Foods has opened its manufacturing facility called, Papillion Foods, in Papillion, Nebraska.

Papillion Foods facility will be engaged in the production of salami and dry sausage products under the Columbus Craft Meats brand as well as Hormel brand.

Papillion Foods plant manager Ed Finnegan said: “We are excited to be opening up this facility to not only help meet the demand for our branded sausage products, but also provide fantastic career opportunities in our community

“We’ve been able to hire a great team thus far and are looking to welcome even more to our family at Papillion Foods.”

Papillion Foods is a 535,000ft2 advanced facility featuring modern sustainability processes such as automated guided vehicles for product transport across the facility as well as automatic rack assists for lifting objects and LED lighting with motion sensors.

Additionally, the facility will create new employment opportunities in the region. Hormel Foods expects to recruit approximately 350 team members during the first year of its operations, with the majority being recruited locally to fill open positions.

In October 2018, Hormel Foods announced its plans to expand Burke manufacturing facility in Nevada, Iowa, with an investment of nearly $150m.

The facility is engaged in the production of pizza toppings and other fully cooked meat products in the foodservice and prepared food industries.