Aug 7, 2006 10:22 AM, from staff and wire reports

Westin Packaged Meats, a wholly owned subsidiary of Omaha NE-based Westin Foods, has acquired the Brookfield Farms corned beef brand and related business assets. Brookfield Farms, formerly based in Chicago IL, sells more than 20 million pounds of corned beef per year to foodservice and retail outlets nationwide.

Scott Carlson, president and chief executive officer of Westin Foods, said he is committed to maintaining Brookfield Farms' leadership position in the corned beef industry and to expanding its product line with other innovative offerings. He said new Brookfield Farms products under discussion include pre-cooked, sliced corned beef and pre-cooked barbecue products.

Brookfield Farms' manufacturing operations will move to Premium Protein Products' plant in Lincoln NE, a facility that is majority-controlled by Flint Hills Foods. Carlson said this manufacturing facility would ensure Brookfield Farms' competitiveness from both a cost and a food safety perspective.