Johnsonville Acquires Co-Manufacturer, Plans Plant Closure

Sausage giant Johnsonville LLC, Sheboygan Falls, WI, announced acquisition of its longstanding co-packer, Salm Partners, from Entrepreneurial Equity Partners.

Salm Partners produces fully cooked sausage and premium hot dogs from its two production plants based in Denmark, WI. Financial details of the acquisition were not disclosed. Salm Partners will continue to operate independently under its current leadership and business model.

The company says that the move is part of Johnsonville's effort to expand its ready-to-eat sausage business and leverage Salm's advanced meat manufacturing technologies.

Johnsonville also has decided to close its Meadowside plant in Sheboygan Falls by the end of 2024. The Countryside and Riverside manufacturing facilities will remain fully operational.

The company confirmed all 390 Meadowside employees will have a position through at least the end of June. Members who remain with the company through June will receive a stay-on bonus.

The company will also work to retain as many employees as possible in its Sheboygan Falls production positions and across its other production facilities when Meadowside production ceases, said Don Fussner, Johnsonville CEO.