Excalibur’s R&D Center and Meat Processing Kitchen is set to mark a major milestone this fall, when it will significantly expand the company’s product development capabilities.

According to CEO Mike Shrier, the project is steadily approaching completion, with work now focused on final details inside the office cubicles and conference room areas. Employees in the R&D lab are expected to begin moving into the new space this month.

Originally announced with a groundbreaking ceremony last October, the 14,000-square-foot facility will serve as a fully integrated innovation hub for Excalibur’s growing research and development efforts.

• The center will feature an expanded R&D laboratory along with a commercial-scale meat processing and sausage kitchen. The addition is expected to streamline product development, improve collaboration, and enhance customer service.
• The project also includes a dedicated presentation room equipped with video recording capabilities, allowing the team to host classes, create content, and showcase new product concepts.
• The facility’s back patio and grilling area will provide space for customer events and team gatherings, while bringing R&D and Regulatory personnel together under one roof.
• The development is further complemented by the purchase of five adjacent acres that will help create a unified Excalibur campus and support future growth.

R&D employees expect to move into the new facility next month before Excalibur celebrates the annual Founder’s Day on October 27^th and the company’s 40^th anniversary. The fully operational meat processing kitchen, along with an official grand opening and ribbon-cutting ceremony, is expected to take place sometime after the first of the year.

“We’ve come a long way since our groundbreaking last fall,” Shrier said. “As one of Pekin’s largest private employers, we see the project as a long-term investment in innovation, employee development, customer success, and the continued growth of both the company and the local community.”