Epilogue: New Chapter on Pilgrim’s Pride?
Pilgrim’s Pride was brought low in 2008 due to misjudgment regarding increased production during a time of rising costs and decreased demand. Although Pilgrim’s Pride hoped they could raise prices, the predictable laws of economics indicated otherwise. Commodity producers should never expect to raise prices and increase supply simultaneously. Result: Bankruptcy.
In September of 2009, JBS SA, a Brazilian beef giant, indicated intentions to purchase Pilgrim’s Pride Corp. Perhaps this will write a new chapter on Pilgrim’s Pride.
As for Lonnie “Bo” Pilgrims, founder of Pilgrim’s Pride, I suspect that the exact attributes that made his company great in the 20th century are those which brought him low in the first decade of the 21st century. His brass knuckles approach to business made sense in consolidating industry where it could be expected that economies of scale would reward the largest producer. However, attaining economies of scale were no longer the competitive frontier in the global economy of the 21st century. Instead, the strategy of Don Tyson, founder of Tyson’s Foods, Inc., to diversify into other protein sources, expand into a global leader, and institute a strong pricing organization and related practices, has proven a more resilient approach.
All boats rise in during high-tides, but you get to see who was naked when the water recedes.
Reference
Jeffrey McCracken and Lauren Etter, “Brazilians Bid for U.S. Meat Titan,” The Wall Street Journal (September 3, 2009).
Links
Pilgrim’s Pride: Failure to Communicate
Tim Smith, PhD, Chief Editor, February 2009
Six Months Later Pilgrim’s Pride Still Has Pricing Problems – What Went Wrong?
Tim Smith, PhD, Chief Editor, January 2009
From Homes to Appliances and Autos: Hovnanian, Corning, GM, Ford, and Chrysler Each Must Manage Lower Demand
Tim Smith, PhD, Chief Editor, December 2008
Chicken Feed, Nothing To Laugh At: Manage the Customer Value Proposition to Stave Off Hemorrhaging
Tim Smith, PhD, Chief Editor, November 2008
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