AR-News: (U.S. - Ar.) governor at Tyson's Discovery Center unveiling

[Mary Finelli]

Governor Huckabee Joins Tyson Foods, Inc. in Unveiling Discovery Center
Copyright 2004 PR Newswire Association, Inc.
PR Newswire (source: Tyson Foods, Inc.), April 1, 2004
http://www.meatpoultry.com/newsfinder.asp?Action=UserDisplayFullDocument&orgId=104&docId=l:84982670&topicId=14427


Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee joined community officials, members of the 
Arkansas Economic Development Commission, and team members of Tyson Foods, 
Inc. (NYSE: TSN) today to unveil plans for the company's new Discovery 
Center, a 184,000 square foot research and development/training facility, to 
be built on the campus of Tyson's corporate headquarters in Springdale.

   The facility will house Tyson's research and development team, corporate 
management training staff, and the company's corporate marketing group. 
Preparation on the 16-acre site has already begun, and construction is 
expected to begin soon, with an estimated construction budget of 
approximately $40 million.  The project is expected to be completed in late 
2005.

   "With its investment in this facility, Tyson again has shown a strong 
commitment to innovation and quality," said Gov. Huckabee.  "The Discovery 
Center is a tremendous addition to Tyson's corporate presence in Arkansas."

    Tyson Foods Chairman and CEO, John Tyson provided insight on how the 
project supports the company's strategic vision.  "One of the Tyson Foods 
Core Values states that we will invest in our people, products, and 
processes," stated Tyson.  "This facility does exactly that.  It will allow 
us to move toward our goal of an ever-increasing array of value-added 
products, and to identify and rigorously develop high-potential talent 
throughout the company."

   "As one of our state's five Fortune 500 companies, Tyson is an 
outstanding example of how homegrown companies can excel in Arkansas," said 
Larry Walther, director of the Arkansas Department of Economic Development.  
"We appreciate Tyson's continuing investment in its home state."

    Greg Lee, Tyson Foods Chief Administrative Officer, introduced special 
guests and provided an overview of the project.  The Discovery Center will 
include:

    --  Twenty product development kitchens, including a Retail Presentation
         Kitchen, a Food Service Preparation Kitchen, and a "Kitchen of the
         Future."
     --  Flexible facilities for leadership, management and job-functional
         training for team members.
     --  A USDA-inspected Pilot Plant, which will provide a manufacturing
         environment for new concepts to improve "speed to market."
     --  A consumer focus group area.
     --  A proprietary sensory testing lab.
     --  Facilities for packaging design and development testing.
     --  Capability for shelf life studies.
     --  Approximately 220 total team members, representing approximately
         $5 million annual payroll.

The architects on the project were Hellmuth, Obata + Kassabaum, Inc., with 
headquarters in St. Louis, Missouri.  Civil engineering services were 
provided by USI Arkansas of Springdale.

    Tyson Foods, Inc., founded in 1935 with headquarters in Springdale, 
Arkansas, is the world's largest processor and marketer of chicken, beef and 
pork and the second largest food company in the Fortune 500.  Tyson Foods 
produces a wide variety of brand name protein-based and prepared food 
products marketed in the United States and more than 80 countries around the 
world. Tyson Foods is the recognized market leader in the retail and 
foodservice markets it serves.  The Company has approximately 120,000 team 
members and 300 facilities and offices in 26 states and 22 countries.

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