SPRINGDALE, Ark., Oct. 4, 2006 (PRIMEZONE) -- Tyson Foods, Inc. (NYSE:TSN) has been honored for its leadership and service in the private label meat business, company officials announced today.
PL Buyer, a magazine focused on private label retailing, has given Tyson a 2006 "Category Colonel Award" for the company's performance as a premier supplier of refrigerated, value-added meats under a store brand. According to the magazine, the awards "recognize private label manufacturers who are committed to product quality and establishing partnerships with retailers."
"We're proud to be recognized for our efforts in this important segment of the retail food business," said Dick Belsito, vice president of Refrigerated Processed Meats for Tyson Foods. "While our company is widely-known by consumers for Tyson-branded chicken, beef and pork, we are also a major producer of private label and store branded meat products. We work hard to deliver the product quality and support services our retail customers expect."
Tyson is one of the nation's largest private label meat suppliers. In fact, the company is the largest private label lunch meat provider in the retail food business and is also a leading supplier of store brand bacon, hams and canned ham products.
Tyson and the other award winners were nominated and voted into the winning categories by retailers who work closely with manufacturers. Private label retailing is a significant business. According to PL Buyer, private label supermarket sales reached a record $40.9 billion in 2005.
Tyson Foods, Inc. (NYSE:TSN), founded in 1935 with headquarters in Springdale, Arkansas, is the world's largest processor and marketer of chicken, beef, and pork, the second-largest food company in the Fortune 500 and a member of the S&P 500. The company produces a wide variety of protein-based and prepared food products, which are marketed under the "Powered by Tyson(tm)" strategy. Tyson is the recognized market leader in the retail and foodservice markets it serves, providing products and service to customers throughout the United States and more than 80 countries. The company has approximately 110,000 Team Members employed at more than 300 facilities and offices in the United States and around the world. Through its Core Values, Code of Conduct and Team Member Bill of Rights, Tyson strives to operate with integrity and trust and is committed to creating value for its shareholders, customers and Team Members. The company also strives to be faith-friendly, provide a safe work environment and serve as stewards of the animals, land and environment entrusted to it.