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Who builds mobile processing units?

Last Updated: April 03, 2009 Related resource areas: Small Meat Processors

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These companies have provided the trailers for MPUs, some bare bones and some complete systems. Inclusion in this list does not imply endorsement.

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.


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