Quarantine Renewal: North American Bison embarks on expansion

One of Eddy County's largest employers is expanding its footprint in the community.

North American Bison, LLC, (NAB) plans to double the square footage of its New Rockford manufacturing facility and bring all facets of its operations together here, announced Mike Jacobson, Vice President of Operations for the company.

The expansion plans were on the drawing board more than six months ago. As employees and their families gathered for the company's annual Christmas party last December, Jacobson announced that their small company was about to become a bigger one.

Architectural work and business planning continued over the winter. During the COVID-19 quarantine, executives successfully pitched their plan to financiers. Preliminary construction work began last month, when contractors removed concrete and built a new parking lot on the north side of the building.

The existing 16,000 sq. ft. facility will be sandwiched between two new additions, one each to the west and east. A second loading dock will be installed, and additional freezer and cooler space added.

"It's all about making it a better environment for the employees," Jacobson noted. From upgrading equipment to building 3,000 sq. ft. of new office and employee welfare space, the goal is to make NAB a more desirable place to work.

The meat fabricators and grinding team members are key to the success of the operation, according to Jacobson, and necessary for its growth. The fabrication room will be expanded to create space for additional workers, and incorporate modern equipment to make the labor-intensive work less stressful on employee's bodies. "We know it's hard work," Jacobson said, "and we want to make it easier on them."

The second floor will be dedicated to people, with upgraded offices, meeting rooms and a large kitchen and break area for employees. Jacobson said he envisions a place where staff can grab a hot meal at breakfast and lunch and relax rather than rush on their short breaks.

Warehouse and distribution of the packaged meat products, which are currently handled in Fargo, will move to New Rockford. When the construction is complete, the entire operation will be under one roof, a move Jacobson says will make the company more efficient. All told, the facility will double in size to 35,000 sq. ft.

"What we're doing is true rural economic development," Jacobson said. The company is not only expanding its physical footprint, it's also growing its workforce. Positions are currently open in the meat fabrication area, as well as on the grinding team. Once the expansion project is complete next spring, the company plans to hire warehouse and distribution fulfillment staff, as well as additional fabricators.

The company is also investing in ongoing training and education to engage and develop staff at all levels. "We're looking for people who want to put both feet in the boat," noted President and CEO Jim Wells. He is leading the organization with aspirations for growth long term.

Wells noted that in a lot of ways, the employees and their attitudes toward the work are what paves the way for the company's success. "With leadership like Mike Jacobson, who heads up the New Rockford plant, it is easy to see why the team he is building shows a true appreciation for each other, which is a reflection of the entire company. Mike is surrounded by some super individuals that work hard and who want to create long term stability in the workplace for themselves and all the employees at the plant. As we look to the near future and beyond we will continue to seek out and hire new employees as we build upon these solid team members, namely Operations Supervisor Adam Pogreba, Jose (Chuy) Orozco, Frank Laber, Chad Wobbema and Iram Sifuentes-Becerra, and others which are too many to name."

Throughout the COVID-19 quarantine, employees knew they had steady employment, and the leadership at NAB implemented strict protocols to keep employees safe at work. Employees wear masks, work 6 ft. apart whenever possible, adhere to stringent hygiene protocols and are subject to daily screenings upon arrival at work. Those safeguards are necessary, Jacobson says, to instill confidence and trust among staff. As many other meat packing and food processing facilities experienced outbreaks, not one person at North American Bison, LLC has tested positive for the novel coronavirus.

Wells pointed out that every employee in the company has a renewed focus on purpose. "We are focused on producing quality bison products that supply food for so many people across the USA, Canada and into Europe, knowing that people across the globe depend on us doing our jobs and being trustworthy. It really is the quality of the products we produce that makes a difference," Wells said. "Consumers can feed their families with a great center of the plate protein that bison provides, processed in our little bison plant right here in New Rockford, N.D."

Food processing is what Jacobson affectionately refers to as the "family business". His father, Jim Pogreba, managed the bison plant from 2000 to 2013. From slaughter to processing, meat fabrication "was inherently in our family," he said. Mom Julie worked alongside Jim at the bison plant, heading the kitchen staff.

Jacobson graduated from Rapid City High School in South Dakota, then headed to the western part of the country, where he had the opportunity to engage in many facets of manufacturing including warehousing, purchasing, sales and production. After a while, he missed the Midwest. He returned to the area in 2008 and went to work at North American Bison's Fargo facility. He has been based here in New Rockford for the past eight years.

July is National Bison Month, a perfect time to highlight how the bison industry has grown and developed in our area. NAB has operated for more than 25 years in the New Rockford community. Established in 1993 to support the independent rancher who raises bison naturally and humanely, and help sustain the bison industry as a whole, the company is stable and growing. In addition to the custom orders from customers across the globe, TenderBison products are available to local consumers for purchase at the facility.

NAB has also revamped its website, creating a place for customers to purchase bison products online and have them shipped directly to their door. From staples like burgers and steaks to combo packs with various cuts, http://www.nabison.com is the source for quality bison meat supplied from independent ranchers in America's Heartland and processed right here in New Rockford.

With this expansion, NAB will offer a variety of career opportunities. Individuals with experience and technical education who are looking for a professional role in a growing company will see openings in fabrication, distribution and administration.

New to the industry? Well, they've got opportunities for you too. All it takes is a high school diploma or GED and a desire to work hard. The company offers competitive wages and full benefits, including 401K, paid vacation and holidays, and health, dental, vision and supplemental insurance. Apply in person at 1658 Hwy. 281, New Rockford, or email [email protected].