ROSE HILL, NC—House of Raeford Farms announced on July 3 that it will sell its Mocksville, North Carolina-based chicken processing plant to Brakebush Brothers Inc. of Westfield, Wisconsin.

The facility has been shut down since a Dec. 14, 2017 fire at the chicken processing plant.  At the time of the fire, 30 people were working at the plant.

“House of Raeford is pleased that Brakebush, one of the country’s premier further processing companies, will rebuild, upfit and continue to operate the Mocksville plant following the fire last December,” said House of Raeford CEO and owner Bob Johnson in a statement. “The transaction will maintain quality employment and business opportunities in the community through the continued operation of this facility. We appreciate the patience of our employees through this transition.”

Along with the sale, the transaction provides for long-term reciprocal supply agreements between the parties. This agreement includes provisions for continued production and employment at the facility.

The company statement also said there will be an “assured supply of raw material for Brakebush and its customers and a continued supply of quality, fully cooked chicken products for House of Raeford customers.”