ARKANSAS, SILOAM SPRINGS – Tuesday, January 12, 2016 — This week, Simmons Foods announced it is increasing hourly pay at many of its production facilities to support employee recruiting and retention. Effective January 1st, 2016, the move raised starting pay for all production employees to at least $10 an hour. Starting rates for those positions had previously been in the $9 range. This will include all part time and full time positions.

“Our employees make the difference for our business and our customers. As we grow, we want to make sure we’re able to attract and retain top talent,” said Dan Houston, Executive Vice President of Human Resources at Simmons.

The company will raise pay rates and scale increases throughout the company based on analysis of job market research. Top hourly production pay will reach upwards of $17. Other positions, including certain maintenance jobs, could pay as much as $25 per hour.

“We look at the whole wage package, and pay is just one part of that. We’re working to offer some of the best benefits you can find in our area in addition to competitive pay,” Houston added.

Along with affordable health, life, dental and vision insurance, employees and their families have access to free medical care at Simmons Care Clinics as well as free generic prescriptions. Other benefits include paid vacations and holidays, eligibility to participate in a 401(k) retirement savings program, short and long-term disability and education assistance.

About Simmons
Founded in 1949, Simmons foods is a privately owned, family led business that is a vertically integrated supplier of poultry, pet food and feed ingredient solutions based in Siloam Springs, Arkansas. It is comprised of 5,800 employees across more than 30 facilities. It is one of the largest employers in Arkansas, with additional operations in Oklahoma, Missouri, Kansas, New Jersey and Ontario, Canada.

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