When you drive past the industrial stretch of Phenix City, you might not give a second glance to the massive processing facilities that line the landscape. But AlaTrade in Phenix City Alabama isn't just another factory. Honestly, it's one of the most misunderstood pieces of the local economy. Most people assume it’s just a place where chicken gets moved around, but the reality is way more complex. It's a high-tech hub of "further processing" that serves as the middleman for some of the biggest fast-food chains you probably ate at last week.
Think about it.
That perfectly portioned chicken breast in your sandwich? It didn't just happen. Companies like AlaTrade are the ones doing the heavy lifting—deboning, portioning, and marinating—so the big names like Tyson or Koch Foods don't have to.
The Weird World of "Chicken Paws" and Global Trade
Lately, things have gotten interesting at the Downing Drive facility. You've probably heard bits and pieces about a massive $2.8 million investment they made recently. It’s not for some fancy new breakroom. It’s for "paws."
Basically, the Phenix City plant has pivoted into a massive heat-treating project specifically for chicken paws—what most of us just call chicken feet. While Americans aren't exactly lining up for feet at the grocery store, China can't get enough of them. By installing state-of-the-art thermal treatment technology, AlaTrade is now a major player in the international export market. They're moving about 360,000 pounds of these things every single week.
It’s a smart move.
Instead of letting a byproduct go to waste or selling it for pennies as pet food, they've turned it into a high-value export. This specific project alone brought in nearly 30 new jobs to Phenix City. It’s a classic example of "finding a niche and filling it," even if that niche is a bit unexpected to the average person on the street.
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Why the ESOP Model Changes Everything
Here is the part that actually matters to the people who work there: AlaTrade is 100% employee-owned.
Back in 2021, the founder, Davis Lee, decided he wanted out but didn't want to sell the soul of the company to some faceless private equity firm. So, he created an Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP). This means the 600 or so people working at the Phenix City location aren't just staff; they're shareholders.
- The shares accumulate at no cost to the employees.
- It acts as a powerful retirement vehicle.
- It shifts the culture from "just a job" to "I own a piece of this."
It’s not all sunshine and rainbows, though. Like any business, they face massive headwinds. Labor shortages are a constant battle, which is why they've leaned so hard into automation. In fact, if you walked through the plant today, you’d see intelligent water-jet portioners and X-ray technology that spots tiny bone fragments humans might miss.
The Reality of Recent Layoffs
We have to be real about the tough stuff, too. In early 2025, the company had to announce layoffs—about 165 positions at the Phenix City facility were impacted. It was a gut punch to the local community.
Why did it happen?
The poultry industry is notoriously volatile. Feed costs, shifting consumer demand, and bird flu outbreaks can wreck a balance sheet in a month. Even with the $2.8 million investment in the paw project, the broader market forced their hand. It’s a reminder that being "employee-owned" doesn't make you immune to the realities of the global economy.
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What Actually Happens Inside the Walls?
If you're looking for a job or just curious what AlaTrade in Phenix City Alabama actually does all day, it’s a mix of manual skill and high-end robotics. They specialize in "toll processing."
Wait, what is that?
Essentially, a "poultry integrator" (the big guys) sends their birds to AlaTrade. AlaTrade does the specific work—like deboning front halves or creating "99% fat-free" portions—and then sends it back or ships it to a distributor. They are masters of the "DSI machine," which uses high-pressure water to cut chicken into exact weights and shapes.
Services offered at the facility:
- Hand Deboning: For cuts that require a human touch to ensure quality.
- Custom Marination: Injecting flavor profiles directly into the meat for restaurant chains.
- CVP Systems: Specialized packaging that keeps the product fresh without freezing it solid.
- X-Ray Detection: Ensuring no "surprises" end up in a nugget.
The Davis Lee Legacy
You can't talk about this place without mentioning Davis Lee. He’s a bit of a legend in the Alabama ag world. He started his first "chicken business" at age 13 with 150 chicks (and famously ate most of them before he could sell them).
He built AlaTrade to be different. He even started a school to teach English to Hispanic students in the area. That focus on people is why the Phenix City plant celebrated its 15th anniversary with such fanfare a few years ago. They aren't just a building; they are a fixture of the Russell County community.
Actionable Insights for Locals and Partners
If you’re looking to engage with AlaTrade, whether as a potential employee, a vendor, or a community partner, here’s the ground truth:
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For Job Seekers: Don't just show up at the gate. They have a dedicated employment services office in Boaz, but for the Phenix City plant, you should look for the local HR contact at 6 Downing Drive. Because it’s an ESOP, they value "stayers"—people who want to build a long-term retirement through their shares.
For Business Partners: They are currently led by Josh Whitley, who took over as President after John Pittard retired. They are looking for ways to further automate and stabilize their margins. If you have tech that improves yield or reduces labor strain, that's your foot in the door.
For the Community: The company is a major donor to local schools and the United Way of the Chattahoochee Valley. They aren't going anywhere. Despite the layoffs in early 2025, the investment in export technology suggests they are digging in for the long haul.
At the end of the day, AlaTrade is a massive, complex machine that turns Alabama poultry into global commodities. It’s a story of high-stakes exports, employee ownership, and the gritty reality of manufacturing in the South.
Whether they are shipping chicken feet to Shanghai or deboning breasts for a local drive-thru, they are a central, if often invisible, pillar of Phenix City’s industrial heart.