Phillips Meat Processing Expands Driven by Kroger Demand

Due to sales growth, Phillips Meat Processing is renovating and expanding its current facility in Zanesville, as well as adding production jobs and improving processes. This expansion is driven by demand from Kroger for more products from Phillips to sell in its stores.

Phillips is dedicated to offering fresh cuts of meat. All of its products are made and prepared in-house using the highest-quality ingredients. Meat is sourced locally from farms and livestock auctions, and now Phillips’ products can be found in Kroger. The company’s high-quality freshness guarantee is possible in Ohio because of the state’s diverse concentration of food stakeholders, from farmers to retailers.

Kroger is one of Phillips’ most dedicated customers and has requested more products from the company, which is driving sales. Additionally, Phillips was awarded a USDA Meat and Poultry Inspection permit in April 2017. Now the company can attract new customers, expand into new market areas, and sell across state lines to grow its branch that processes and packages cooked meat products under its own brand, Phillips Homestyle Classics.

“When my parents opened their shop, having a deal with a company like Kroger seemed like a dream, but everyone at our company worked hard and made it happen,” said Dale Phillips, owner of Phillips Meat Processing. “With a big undertaking like this, we were grateful to have assistance from JobsOhio and the Appalachian Partnership for Economic Growth. Now we can really take our business to the next level as we grow to serve more customers.”

The plant expansion will include space for a freezer, blast chiller and smoker room. New equipment will improve the flow of product, increase productivity and give Phillips the capacity it needs to meet the large orders from customers such as Kroger.

“Food companies in Ohio have the benefit of accessing a lot of resources, big and small,” said Joe Needham, JobsOhio director of food and agribusiness. “This is beneficial to Ohio’s smaller businesses like Phillips Meat Processing that have accessibility to larger customers like Kroger. I am very excited to play a role in helping Phillips expand as the result of this huge opportunity.”

For more information on Ohio’s food and agribusiness industry, visit JobsOhio’s Food & Agribusiness page.