These companies (all but the last on the list) have designed and built MSUs, from bare bones rigs to complete, fully-equipped systems. Inclusion in this list does not imply endorsement.
www.mobileslaughter.com
Mobile slaughter unit pioneer and NMPAN Advisory Board member Bruce Dunlop shares photos, specifications, and equipment needs for mobile units.
TriVan
TriVan Truck Body is located in Ferndale, Washington. TriVan has a reputation for high quality work, long-term reliability, and customer service.
A TriVan mobile slaughter unit comes fully equipped and satisfies USDA inspection and licensing requirements. The unit consists of a mechanical and storage area, slaughter area, and refrigeration area. Miscellaneous equipment includes knives, saws, scales and other necessary supplies. A semi truck tractor is necessary to pull the trailer and must be purchased separately, either new or used. The approximate vehicle weight is 25,000 pounds.
It takes approximately 14 – 20 weeks to receive a mobile slaughter unit. The purchase terms are 30% down at the time of the order, with the balance on completion.
Featherlite
A Featherlite mobile slaughter unit also comes fully equipped and ready to go, or it can come less equipped if the customer wishes to put in his/her own equipment.
It takes approximately 8 to 12 weeks, from time of order, for the unit to be completed.
Featherlite built the trailer for the first USDA-inspected mobile slaughter unit, for the Island Grown Farmers Cooperative in Washington. See photos at Island Grown Farmers Cooperative. Because this was still a fairly new concept at the time, Featherlite delivered a partially complete trailer, and IGFC added the systems and equipment themselves.
Cornerstone Farm Ventures
Cornerstone has equipped two units so far, both for poultry. One is in Vermont, the other on Martha's Vineyard, MA. The Vermont unit's trailer was built by Brothers Body and Equipment, in Crestline, Ohio.
Renewable Harvest Mobile Meat Processing
The Renewable Harvest Mobile Meat Processing project, based in Nebraska, has built an MSU now operating under USDA inspection by Ranch Foods Direct in Colorado (more details about that unit on this page). Renewable Harvest's MMP began as a project of the Nebraska Environmental Action Coalition. They offer free expert advice and assistance with HACCP, water systems, and legal/regulatory issues related to MSUs.
Contact Laura Krebsbach, Renewable Harvest director: (402) 770 7731.
The Renewable Harvest team includes:
- Genell Pridgeon – HACCP
- Kathy Martin – water engineer
- Danny Diamond – lawyer, regulatory guidance
Watch their 10 minute video on YouTube: Renewable MMP YouTube Video.
Craftsmen Industries
Craftsmen builds mobile kitchens/other units and would like to get into the MSU market. Based in St. Charles, MO, they build "vehicles that transform into mobile command centers, medical treatment facilities, kitchens, recruiting vehicles & exchanges for the Military & Federal Government." As of spring 2011, they had not yet built an MSU but were very interested in doing so.
