The company plans to invest approximately $26 million in the facility where it will produce fresh and frozen meat ingredients for pet food manufacturers.
Todd Simmons Installed as Chairman of the National Chicken Council
Simmons Gives $100k Supporting Poultry Research Facility at University of Arkansas
Today Simmons joined with other poultry industry leaders in Northwest Arkansas to contribute a total of $1.5 Million to the University System Division of Agriculture.
““We must do all we can to grow agriculture in (Arkansas) and poultry is a big part of that.” ”
Simmons Foods Recognized with Clean Water Award for a Second Time
The discharge stream leaving the Simmons Foods Southwest City Facility.
Simmons Foods, Inc.’s Southwest City, Missouri Wastewater Department was named winner of the 2015 Clean Water Award by the U.S. Poultry and Egg Association. The Siloam Springs based company won in the full treatment category.
Mark Simmons, Chairman of Simmons Foods commented, “We’ve made some big investments since we won this award in 2007. Our passion to continue delivering on our clean water commitment to the communities of Southwest Missouri and Northwest Arkansas has never been stronger.”
The Simmons Southwest City Complex includes poultry processing, rendering and feed ingredient operations, processing and treating an average of 2.28 million gallons of water per day. Simmons carefully monitors its wastewater to ensure surrounding environments and wildlife are protected from processing plant emissions. The treatment facility has achieved 14 years without a notice of violation, a warning issued by regulators when wastewater does not meet recommended specifications.
“We’ve really pushed innovation, even adapting technologies from other industries to improve what we’re doing here,” said Andy Brashear, the Environmental Manager for Simmons Foods. “We want to be good neighbors.” Simmons uses thermal oxidizing technology to reduce odor emissions from the Southwest City rendering facility. Simmons was the first to use this technology at a rendering facility in the United States.
The Simmons Southwest City Wastewater Team conducts regular tours of the facility. Over the last 15 years, the company has hosted over 600 tour attendees. The facility also hosts various training classes including state approved license renewal classes in partnership with the Crowder College Environmental Science Program.
“We’re very honored by this recognition and love that our communities are involved,” said Todd Simmons, CEO at Simmons Foods. “Our industry has really done a great job working together for the benefit of our communities, and we’re proud to be a leader in that effort. ”
Along with a highly qualified team and 24/7 staffing by licensed operators, the wastewater department works with processing and rendering operations at the complex to conserve and reuse water.
Simmons Foods Southwest City Wastewater Team
Front row (Left to Right) Seth Walters, Jose Rodriguez, Cassie Carpenter, Kim Gould, Wendy flaming, Mike Davis
Back Row (Left to Right) John Graham, Larry Smith, Mike Woods, Andy Brashear, Jose Gonzalez.
Seth Walters, Director of Environmental Quality added, “It takes a lot of cooperation and coordination to make this system the best it can be. We’re thankful to have the support of the operational leaders here in Southwest City and the commitment from our entire organization.
Walters said the Simmons Southwest City poultry processing plant is one of the most water-efficient in the industry, using approximately two gallons of water less per bird than the industry average.
“In addition to conservation, we’ve also found new ways to reuse wastewater products. We’ve been able to create valuable, high-protein feed ingredients from waste product skimmings,” said Walters. These processes put 130 million pounds of product back into the food chain, rather than being land applied.
“Clean water is a critical part of our culture,” said Mike Davis, Director of Engineering and Environmental Operations at Simmons. “Our operators are knowledgeable, passionate and take pride in their work. Our owners and executive leaders are committed and active. They receive daily reports and even lead facility tours. We have some really impressive equipment, but at the end of the day, the people of Simmons make this a two-time award winning operation.”
Photo of a Dissolved Air Flotation Unit (DAF) installed in 2013 at the Simmons Foods treatment facility. A DAF removes high phosphorus solids after primary activated sludge treatment.
Mark Simmons, Chairman of Simmons Foods, participates in a wastewater tour. Over 600 attendees have toured the facility in the last 15 years.
USPOULTRY: The U.S. Poultry and Egg Association, the award sponsor, represents the entire industry including processors of broilers, turkeys, ducks, eggs and breeding stock as well as allied companies.
About Simmons: Simmons Foods is a vertically integrated supplier of poultry, pet food and feed ingredient solutions based in Siloam Springs, Arkansas. Founded in 1949, our company remains a privately owned and family-led business. Simmons employs 5,800 team members across more than 30 facilities. We are focused on meeting the specialized needs of top food brands and building long-term relationships with our customers, employees and communities.
Simmons Feed Mills Achieve Distinguished Safe Feed/Safe Food Certification
SILOAM SPRINGS, ARKANSAS
Simmons Foods, Inc, the Live Operations division at Simmons Prepared Foods has been certified by the Safe Feed/Safe Food Certification Program administered by the American Feed Industry Association.
Becoming Safe Feed/Safe Food-certified means the facility demonstrates and ensures continuous improvements in delivering safe, wholesome livestock feed for the growth and care of animals. This is a one-of-a-kind, voluntary program that has resulted in the certification of about 330 feed-related facilities. Certified facilities go above and beyond federal requirements to ensure the highest standards in manufacturing and processing are followed each and every day.
Only three other feed mills in Arkansas and Oklahoma have achieved this well regarded certification.
“As we participate in this voluntary program, we want people to know we are committed to going above and beyond federal requirements to achieve the highest standards for our feed and food safety. This achievement also supports our desire to deliver a product our customers consumers can trust.
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Simmons Foods Decatur, Arkansas Feed Mill
Now celebrating its Centennial year, AFIA, based in Arlington, Va., is the world’s largest organization devoted exclusively to representing the business, legislative and regulatory interests of the U.S. animal feed industry and its suppliers. AFIA also is the recognized leader on international industry developments. Members include more than 500 domestic and international companies and state, regional and national associations. Member-companies are livestock feed and pet food manufacturers, integrators, pharmaceutical companies, ingredient suppliers, equipment manufacturers and companies which supply other products, services and supplies to feed manufacturers.
The feed industry makes a major contribution to food safety, nutrition and the environment, and it plays a critical role in the production of healthy, wholesome meat, milk, fish and eggs. More than 75 percent of the commercial feed in the United States is manufactured by AFIA members.
Todd Simmons named TPF 2015 Industry Leader of the Year
JUNE 26, 2015: Todd Simmons, CEO and Vice Chairman of Simmons Foods andAffiliates in Siloam Springs, was named “2015 Industry Leader of the Year” by The Poultry Federation (TPF) of Arkansas, Missouri, and Oklahoma, during the 56th Annual Poultry Festival, held in Rogers on June 19-20. The award has been presented by TPF since 1955 and recognizes the outstanding achievements of poultry and egg executives and their contribution to the industry. Presenting the award this year was TPF’s current Board of Directors and Marvin Childers, TPF President.
Todd Simmons has been involved in the poultry industry since birth. Following in his grandfather’s and his father’s shoes, he began working for the company at the age of 19 and after graduating from Georgetown University with a Bachelor of Science in Business Management, he returned to Northwest AR to train in every area of the business. In 2013 he was promoted to Chief Executive Officer and Vice Chairman, after serving as CEO of both the Poultry and Pet Food divisions for the previous six years.
Todd is currently serving or has served in the following positions: Vice Chairman of the National Chicken Council, Executive Committee and Board of the Pet Food Institute, Arkansas Executive Forum at the University of Arkansas, US Poultry and Egg Association Board, American Heart Association of NWA, Walton Arts Foundation, Signature Bank of Arkansas, Work Matters, Big Brothers Big Sisters, Ozark Natural Science Center; and The Poultry Federation Board of Directors. Todd has also be named to Arkansas Business’ 40 Under 40.
Todd Simmons was instrumental in the vision of building a new Poultry Federation building in Little Rock and provided the building committee and board of directors with an analysis of the financial commitment as well as the construction documents. He runs the day to day operations of Simmons Foods with the help of over 5,800 dedicated employees. Simmons Foods focuses on customizing chicken products in foodservice and retail and they are recognized as one of the country’s top ten privately held poultry processors with operations in Arkansas, Oklahoma and Missouri.
Todd’s grandfather, Bill Simmons was named Industry Leader of the Year in 1961 and his father, Mark Simmons was named Industry Leader of the Year in 1990. It is ironic that not only does Todd receive this award 25 years to the date following his father, Todd just received his 25th year award as an employee of Simmons Foods.
Todd and his wife, Shelley, reside in Siloam Sprigs and have two children. The Poultry Federation of Arkansas, Oklahoma, and Missouri, congratulates Todd Simmons, The Poultry Federation’s 2015 Industry Leader of the Year!
About The Poultry Federation
The Poultry Federation is a tristate trade organization representing the poultry and egg industries in Arkansas, Missouri, and Oklahoma. Offices are located in Little Rock, AR, Jefferson City, MO, and Oklahoma City, OK. The purposes of the Federation are to promote and protect all poultry interests relating to production, distribution, merchandising and consumption of poultry and poultry products; to disseminate information relating to the various phases of the poultry industry in order to improve and expand markets; to increase efficiency in production and marketing; to encourage and support research in production and marketing of poultry; and to encourage and support youth programs in poultry work. More information can be found at www.thepoultryfederation.com.
The Poultry Federation (2015). [Press release]. Todd Simmons named The Poultry Federation’s Industry Leader of the Year. Retrieved from http://www.thepoultryfederation.com/news/todd-simmons-named-tpf-2015-industry-leader-of-the-year
