Keystone Processors up and running

by Karen Emilson

Keystone Processors is up and running, and while their facility isn’t fully operational, the company seems to be off to a solid start.
Company President and General Manager, Kelly Penner, recently toured MCPA Directors through the facility which is housed in the former Maple Leaf pork plant on Marion St., in Winnipeg.

The facility was undergoing extensive renovations at the time. Since then, the cutting facility opened right on schedule, and the company began processing 40 head of cattle per week - supplied by provincially inspected abbatoirs in McCreary and Carman.
Penner explained that they hope to have the renovations completed and a federally inspected killing floor operational by early 2011. Plans are to slaughter 250 head at day during a single-shift with hopes of adding a second shift of an additional 250 head when needed.
Keystone Processors is a joint venture of Natural Prairie Beef and the Manitoba Cattle Enhancement Council (MCEC). A deal to buy the plant last July was made possible by a $2.4 million investment by the MCEC. Keystone is looking to secure additional funding so they can continue with their expansion plans.