A supplement to Meat&Poultry • www.MeatPoultry.com • October 2011 The Phoenix rises A new plant allows Columbus Foods to soar to new heights BY BRYAN SALVAGE bsalvage@sosland.com nforeseen tragedies sometimes sow the seeds for a new beginning. Such is the case for Hayward, Calif.-based Columbus Foods – processor of premium salame and deli meats. Columbus celebrated the grand opening of its new $31 million slicing U and packaging facility on July 21, after a fire destroyed the original South San Francisco slicing plant in July 2009. The company is owned in part by Endeavour Capital, which acquired a majority interest in the company through a recapitalization initiative in 2006. “The damaged facility contained our slicing operations,” explains Ken Neishi, vice president of operations. “The cause of the fi re was undetermined and the building was a total loss. Thankfully, no one was injured. (Continued on Page 72) www.MeatPoultry.com • October 2011 • Meat&Poultry • 69http://www.MeatPoultry.com