041128 Tyson Opens New Offices in Arkansas

Fayetteville, AR - Tyson Foods Inc., opened a new office complex in Fayetteville. The new offices are part of a continued effort to merge Tyson's beef and poultry operations. Tyson purchased its beef processing unit from South Dakota-headquartered IBP Inc.

The 72,000-square-foot converted Kmart store houses 400 employees -- most of whom are part of the "Project WON" initiative, which focuses on streamlining the company's accounting and management information systems.

Project WON puts together people from key business processes in the company, such as accounting, purchasing and payroll, so they can develop improvements, company chairman John Tyson said. Company spokesman Gary Mickelson said: "One of the primary objectives of Project WON has been to integrate Tyson and IBP's information- sharing systems. Each previously had separate business processes for such things as taking customer orders, managing inventory, purchasing and handling various accounting tasks."

The new Fayetteville office also holds about 80 engineers who work on designs for the company's plants, the article said. Tyson staffed the new office by moving employees from existing offices, and through new hires. Some of the workers in the new office are consultants. Tyson invested about $5.4 million in the new office, including the purchase price and renovations. The company chose the building because it was the only existing structure in Fayetteville and Springdale that could accommodate the project. The company was able to renovate the building and have it operating within seven months.

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