The new plant will quadruple capacity and could result in hiring 100 people over the next three to five years to meet demand.
Holly Poultry Inc., a rapidly growing family-owned Baltimore-based poultry processor and wholesale meat distributor serving customers from New York to Richmond, has expanded its processing capacity with the completion of a state-of-the-art processing plant in West Baltimore.
The expansion will enable the company to hire 150 people over the next three to five years, doubling the size of its production staff. Eighty percent of Holly Poultry’s current employees reside in Baltimore City.
Holly held a Ribbon Cutting Ceremony Wednesday June 7, 2017, at its newly constructed 37,500 square-foot plant at 2121 Wicomico Street.
“After years of planning our vision for the company and its employees has become a reality,” said Zach Fine, CEO of Holly Poultry. “The opening of our new processing facility will enable us to quadruple our production capacity, explore new markets, and accelerate growth throughout the Mid-Atlantic. We will be better able to serve our customers and continue to support the City of Baltimore.”
Mike Fine, who joined Holly Poultry in 1990 and owns the company, said it was important for him to continue to build his operations in Baltimore. When he joined, Holly Poultry had 20 employees. By 2015, the number had grown to 175, and it now stands at 225 – including 25 who were hired this year in anticipation of the grand opening.
“It’s where we’ve grown and succeeded as a business,” said Mike Fine “I want to help Baltimore City be successful and create job opportunities for its residents.”
Baltimore City Mayor Catherine E. Pugh presented the company with a Mayoral Certificate of Recognition on behalf of the citizens of Baltimore.
“We are just really excited to see this company continue to grow in Baltimore, in our city, in the Southwest portion of our city,” Mayor Pugh told the audience at the ribbon cutting ceremony. “I know you have all heard it, over 100 more employees will be hired as a result of the growth of this particular company. We believe in your success and more importantly we believe in your company, but we believe in the employees of Baltimore city and all of your employees. Thank you for all of the work that you are doing and all that you will continue to do. Providing jobs and growing jobs in our city is really important.”
William H. Cole, president and CEO of the Baltimore Development Corporation (BDC) said, “BDC is thrilled to have assisted Holly Poultry expand here in Baltimore, and it looks like they are well under way to exceed their original hiring targets. Manufacturing jobs like those at Holly Poultry that have low barriers to entry and provide opportunities for upward mobility are incredibly important to the City. In addition, this family-owned business provides jobs for people who may need a second chance, offering a greater opportunity for economic inclusion. We are excited that they have continued to grow in Southwest Baltimore.”
In addition to operating Holly Poultry, the company also runs a wholesale commodity business, State Street Poultry & Provisions LLC, whose operations will also undergo significant renovations in 2017, including an updated cooler, freezer, and offices. State Street is located at 2221 Berlin Street in West Baltimore.
“The renovation doubles our capacity, provides additional space to expand our product lines, and improves our buying power,”ZachFine said. “By keeping our USDA designation, we can process other proteins and offer more value to our current market.”
About Holly Poultry Inc.
Holly Poultry Inc.isa family owned processor of poultry products and a wholesale distributor of poultry, pork, beef and other refrigerated products.The company has been in business in Baltimore city under the current management since 1990. Historically, Hollyhas consisted of two business segments:processing of poultry products which are principally sold to the foodservice industry, andwholesale distribution of poultry, pork, beef and other refrigerated products to small grocery stores and markets for retail consumption.
