Strauss Brands to Sell its Veal and Lamb Business, Eliminate Up to 127 Jobs

Company Will Partner with Texas Producer to Increase Beef Offerings

Waukesha-based Strauss Brands announced the company has agreed to sell its veal and lamb production business to competitor Catelli Brothers Family of Foods, a subsidiary of Canadian company Preval AG. The transaction will shift Strauss veal and lamb production to Catelli’s two U.S.-based plants in Collingswood, New Jersey, and Sutton, Massachusetts. 

Strauss Brands notified the Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development that this will result in up to 127 layoffs, mostly at its Franklin facility, as a result of this transaction. The layoffs are expected to occur on or about December 10, 2023. This is a unionized facility represented by the United Food and Commercial Workers Union, Local 1473. The company will continue to produce grass-fed beef at its Franklin location.

In a separate transaction, Strauss Brands announced it will partner with Texas-based Eddy Foods to expand beef product offerings under its Grass Rooted label. The partnership is expected to strengthen both companies’ business and operational synergies in this important and growing segment. 

Strauss stated that Eddy provides highly sought-after capabilities, including ready-to-eat products such as smoked sausage, sliced slow-smoked brisket, and marinated, sauced and shredded BBQ. Eddy operates over 500,000 square feet of processing space in its facilities in Yoakum, Texas, and Greenwood, South Carolina. 

Strauss Brands describes its business as a leading provider of high-quality, grass-fed, grass-finished, sustainably raised beef products and is committed to ethical agriculture and responsible business practices. It is a third-generation family company with an 86-year history.

“We are proud to have made meaningful changes in how animals are raised and treated, becoming leaders in agriculture and creating a positive and lasting impact in our industry,” said Randy Strauss.