US – Cargill has invested US$4.2million at its Columbia, South Carolina plant that will facilitate a 15% increase in ground beef production to cater for the needs of the Eastern US beef customers.
The facility has been advanced with new equipment that will increase the grinding capacity to produce consistent and high quality beef products.
According to the company, this expansion was motivated by the growing number of customers who are in need of quality animal meat products to meet their nutritional need for protein.
Cargill purchased the facility from FPL Food LLC. to add to its meat processing facilities in Georgia and Pennsylvania.
With increased supplies of beef products such as ground sirloin, ground round and ground chuck, Cargill will be in a position to meet the diverse customer needs both in the retail and foodservice sectors.
“Cargill purchased the Columbia facility in 2016 and today we have more than 200 Columbia employees delivering high-quality beef to our U.S. customers.
This investment shows our commitment to the beef industry in the Eastern U.S. and allows us to deliver on the increasing needs of beef customers in the region, through the installation of higher performance production technologies,” said John Keating, president, business operations and supply chain, Cargill Protein.
The investment puts Cargill on the forefront in beef production in North America boosting its brand portfolio including Sterling Silver premium meats, Excel fresh meats, Rumba meats, Angus Pride beef, Ranchers Registry beef among many other brands.
Their beef operations in the US and Canada include animal feeding business, beef processing facilities and case-ready packaging capabilities.
Over the past two years, Cargill Protein has invested approximately US$850 million in the U.S. and Canada to improve processing plants and expand capacities, including US$50 million at the company’s Kansas distribution centre.
According to Mike Martin, the company’s spokesman, the deal strengthens the beef business capabilities on the East Coast, which helps uphold the overall Cargill Protein business in the U.S. marketplace.
