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Zephyr Egg To Change Owner

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By TODD LESKANIC

The Tampa Tribune

Published: June 27, 2008

ZEPHYRHILLS - A Mississippi-based company plans to purchase a majority of the assets of the Zephyr Egg Co., a stalwart of Pasco County business and one of the county's largest manufacturers.

Cal-Maine Foods of Jackson, Miss., the country's largest producer of shell eggs, announced the sale in a news release Wednesday. The transaction is expected to be completed by the end of the month. Terms of the deal weren't released.

Cal-Maine Vice President and Chief Financial Officer Tim Dawson couldn't be reached for comment.

Kentucky dairy farmer Jack Linville started Zephyr Egg in 1954 and incorporated the business in 1961. Linville's five sons continued to run the operation after their father's death in 1991.

The business has grown into a multimillion-dollar operation and employs 150 to 160 people. That ranks it as the county's fourth-largest manufacturer, according to the Pasco County Economic Development Council.

Company executive Terry Linville said Thursday that the only change will be to ownership. Danny Linville, chief executive, told Forbes.com that his company initiated talks with Cal-Maine based on a decision by the board of directors.

"We had an excellent year and thought it was a good time to sell," he said.

Cal-Maine plans to purchase about 2 million laying hens, two egg processing plants, a feed mill and a fleet of trucks for delivering eggs and feed. Cal-Maine will also get the Eggland's Best franchise for southern Florida and Zephyr Egg's interest in American Egg Products Inc., among other assets.

"The Zephyr Egg operations have an excellent reputation, efficient operations and a well-established customer base," Cal-Maine CEO Fred Adams Jr. said in a news release. "This acquisition will complement our existing operations in Florida and allow us to enhance service to our existing customers and attract additional customers in Florida and other southeastern markets."

The news caught Zephyrhills Mayor Cliff McDuffie by surprise.

"I don't know what to say," he said after being told about the changes at Zephyr Egg. "I would hope the company remains here and, of course, we don't want to lose jobs. I don't think that will happen, but you never know."

Reporter Geoff Fox contributed to this report. Reporter Todd Leskanic can be reached at (727) 815-1084 or tleskanic@tampatrib.com.

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