Bakalars acquires Schweigert from Cargill

Bakalars Sausage Co. has entered into an agreement to acquire the Schweigert brand of hot dogs, braunschweiger, summer sausage and breaded chicken products from Cargill Turkey & Cooked Meats, according to a news release.

The transaction is expected to be completed in October, according to Tuesday’s release. Financial terms between Bakalars and the Wichita-based Cargill operation were not disclosed.

As a result of the acquisition, production is expected to be shifted from Cargill’s Albert Lea, Minn., meat processing facility to the Bakalars plant at La Crosse, Wis., enabling Cargill to expand its remaining operations at Albert Lea, the release said. The Schweigert brand was acquired by Cargill in 2008 as part of its purchase of Willow Brook Foods.

“We are delighted Bakalars will continue the tradition of producing the quality Schweigert products so many consumers have come to love,” John Niemann, Cargill Turkey & Cooked Meats president, said in the release. “Schweigert is a good fit for Bakalars and will provide their firm with incremental growth, while concurrently allowing us to expand other types of processing at Albert Lea to meet customer needs.”

When contacted Tuesday, Cargill spokesman Mike Martin said the company’s workforce in Wichita, which totals about 1,000, would not be affected by the deal.

“We look at this as a win-win for both companies,” Martin said. “Schweigert has been a good brand for us, but Cargill has a more broad focus with our portfolio. Schweigert is a good fit for Bakalars.”

Based in Minnesota, Cargill has more than 150,000 employees in 67 countries. Established in 1935, Bakalars is a regional wholesale meat company that distributes its products to outlets throughout the Midwest.

This story was originally published September 22, 2015 at 4:17 PM with the headline "Bakalars acquires Schweigert from Cargill."