Walmart has inaugurated its first owned and operated case-ready beef facility in Olathe, Kansas, to enhance the supply chain for Angus beef.
The initiative aims to provide high-quality beef options and ensure transparency for customers across the Midwest.
In 2022, Walmart invested in Sustainable Beef, based in North Platte, Nebraska, to establish an end-to-end supply chain for Angus beef.
The majority ownership of Sustainable Beef is local and producer-focused, sourcing cattle from within a 250-mile (402km) radius of the plant.
The new over 300,000ft2 facility in Olathe will package and distribute Angus cuts sourced directly from Sustainable Beef to Walmart stores in the Midwest.
Walmart US food executive vice president John Laney said: “The opening of our new facility in Olathe, Kansas, is centered on delivering more of what our customers want, affordable food and quality they can trust.
“This is the first case-ready facility fully owned and operated by Walmart, and that milestone ensures we’re able to bring more consistency, more transparency and more value to our customers.”
The Olathe facility is set to create over 600 jobs, positively impacting the local community.
It will process fresh beef into case-ready cuts, which will be shipped to Walmart distribution centres to meet regional demand.
In addition, the facility is expected to boost business for local suppliers and service providers.
In the fiscal year 2024, Walmart, its clubs, and the Walmart Foundation contributed $9.6m to Kansas charities, highlighting its community commitment.
The new facility aligns with Walmart’s broader strategy to build a traceable and resilient supply chain for Angus beef, responding to customer demand for product transparency.
Olathe Mayor John Bacon said: “Walmart’s decision to open its new case-ready facility in Olathe isn’t just a business investment, it’s a vote of confidence in our community and our workforce.
“With over 600 new jobs being created, this facility will fuel local economic growth and reinforce Olathe’s position as a regional agricultural leader.
“We’re proud to work with Walmart and build more economic opportunity for our residents.”
Walmart’s efforts also support its commitment to US manufacturing, with a pledge to invest $350bn in US-made products by 2031.
Kansas Governor Laura Kelly said: “Kansas has long been at the forefront of the agriculture industry, and Walmart’s investment in Olathe is further driving our success.
“Through food production and supply chain innovations, we are proud to partner with Walmart to transform how we feed communities across our state and the region.”
