ST. JOSEPH, MO. — Missouri Western State University dedicated a portion of its Convergent Technology Alliance Center (CTAC) after two leading meat processors in the region, Triumph Foods and Daily’s Premium Meats.

Christened the Triumph Foods and Daily’s Premium Meats Industrial Technology Bay, the new industrial area will honor the meatpacking industry’s impact on the region, offering applied learning labs that will be used for industry innovation for years to come.

“The meatpacking industry has played a distinguished and significant role in the economy of St. Joseph from its earliest days, and I’m pleased that history will be reflected in CTAC,” said Elizabeth Kennedy, president of Missouri Western State University. “We are extremely grateful to Triumph Foods and Daily’s Premium Meats for their support of the project and proud that we can recognize that support by naming a portion of CTAC in their honor.”

Currently under construction, the CTAC project is a $12 million endeavor funded by Missouri Western, North Central Missouri College (NCMC), the State of Missouri, the City of St. Joseph, Buchanan County and several local businesses.

The facility, completed in partnership with NCMC, is being built on Missouri Western’s campus. A grand opening for the new technology bay as well as the entire CTAC will be held in the fall.

Through CTAC, students will learn important manufacturing and construction skills to improve workforce development.

Triumph Foods will join the CTAC Leadership Board to ensure that the training students receive aligns with the industry’s manufacturing needs.

“We are one of the most technically advanced pork production plants in the country, and our need for highly skilled team members is constantly growing,” said Matt England, Triumph Foods president and chief executive officer. “We are excited that MWSU, NCMC and the other community business partners are investing in developing the workforce of tomorrow, and proud to support this transformational project.”

Founded in 2006, Triumph Foods currently employs over 2,400 workers and produces over 1.5 billion lbs of pork annually. The St. Joseph-based plant sells 30% of its product to 25 foreign countries, contributing significantly to the city’s status as the third-largest exporter in the state of Missouri. 

Triumph Foods owns 50% of Daily’s Premium Meats, which opened a bacon plant in St. Joseph in 2016.