Lamb Weston to Launch USD200m Processing Line
ConAgra Foods Inc. announced that its Lamb Weston business will expand operations at its facility in Richland, Washington, with the addition of a new French fries processing line.
The investment worth more than USD200m and it is expected to add 128 full-time positions. Worldwide demand for frozen French fries continues to increase and Euromonitor predicts that the frozen potato category will grow in excess of over USD 3.7bn by 2020.
This capacity expansion will allow Lamb Weston to continue its global growth. Construction on the processing line is expected to begin immediately, with completion in the fall of 2017. Once complete, the added line is expected to increase annual processing capacity by more than about USD430m.
Lamb Weston partnered with several officials and organizations in the TriCities and Washington to establish its plans for expansion.
“We have a tremendous opportunity to help our customers realize their global growth projections, but we need to make more French fries to do that,” said Greg Schlafer, president Lamb Weston. “Investing in capabilities like this is indicative of the opportunity we see in potatoes, and our specific opportunity at Lamb Weston to lead the category.”
“We are so pleased with Lamb Weston’s decision to expand their operations in Richland,” states Cindy Reents, City Manager of the City of Richland. “This is not only an investment in our city but our community overall, and we are thrilled to continue our relationship with this respected company.”
Lamb Weston’s existing facility in Richland employs approximately 500 people and was built in 1972.
