The Iowa Premium operation on Tama’s east side has been acquired by National Beef of Kansas City. A company news release indicated the 850-employee level would be maintained here. -Chronicle file photo

On March 11, National Beef Packing company announced plans to acquire Iowa Premium, the beef processing facility at Tama.
In an announcement made June 10, Iowa Premium has officially been sold to National Beef LLC of Kansas City, Mo.
“This transaction enables National Beef to expand its beef processing operations into the State of Iowa and add over 850 employees to the National Beef family,” the statement read.
“I want to thank each and every one that makes up this amazing company called Iowa Premium LLC and for your hard work and dedication in making Iowa Premium LLC a premium provider of high quality family farm raised Black Angus beef products to our customers. I am so proud of everyone’s accomplishments and want to thank you for allowing me to lead such an amazing group of gifted folks that made this all happen,” was part of the message from Jefffrey Johnson, Iowa Premium president and CEO in a statement issued in March after the pending sale was announced.
Iowa Premium reopened the Tama beef plant, known locally for many years as “Tama Pack” in 2014 after reportedly upwards of $50 million was spent by Sysco Foods to modernize and enlarge the facility.
Tama Pack History
The Tama plant has a long history here, opening first in 1971 as Tama Pack and operating under a number of owners over the years.
It was closed at the end of 1999 by owner IBP Inc. and the property was donated to the City of Tama.
The plant then reopened under two operators in the early 2000s, only to close again in 2004 with the plant then sitting idle for some 10 years.
In an earlier statement, Tim Klein, National Beef President and CEO said “”I am excited to expand our beef operations with a processing facility in Iowa and we look forward to strengthening IP’s relationships with the family farmers who produce the highest quality Black Angus cattle in the U.S. Iowa Premium fits perfectly with our value-based marketing strategy as we continue to provide our customers with the very best beef products and programs.”
About National Beef Packing Company, LLC: based in Kansas City, Mo., has operations in Liberal, Dodge City, and Kansas City, Kansas; Hummels Wharf, Pennsylvania; Moultrie, Georgia; North Baltimore, Ohio and St. Joseph, Missouri. National Beef, with approximately 8,400 employees, processes and markets fresh beef, beef by-products and consumer ready products for domestic and international markets. In fiscal year 2018, National Beef generated sales of $7.5 billion.