Agro Perspectiva

Cargill to invest $225 million at facility in Sidney, Ohio

17.10.2019 11:05 "Agro Perspectiva" (Kyiv) — Cargill is expanding its integrated soybean crush and refined oils facility in Sidney, Ohio, to better serve area farmers and to meet growing demand for protein and refined oils.

The company will invest approximately $225 million at the Sidney site, increasing crush capacity and modernizing operations. The investment creates greater market access for farmers’ crops in the area and allows those farmers to deliver their soybeans more efficiently, as the upgraded plant will unload trucks at a much faster rate.

«Farmers are at the core of our business. This investment will help us provide them a better experience when they choose to sell their crops to us,» said Don Camden, commercial leader for the eastern region of Cargill’s agricultural supply chain business in North America. «This also demonstrates our commitment to invest in and grow with the Sidney community.»

«The increased capacity will strengthen and expand our U.S. crush footprint, enable us to meet the growing demand for soy products from our customers and further integrate our refined oil capabilities,» said Warren Feather, Cargill managing director of global crush.

The crush facility originally opened in 1978, with the refinery added a decade later. Today, the site serves as a vital link between soybean farmers in the region and consumers both nearby and around the globe. The expansion of the crush plant will provide Cargill’s adjacent refined oils facility with a larger, direct supply of crude soybean oil. When the expansion is complete in 2022, Cargill expects to add approximately 12 full-time jobs to the team of 325 currently employed at Sidney. In addition to these new jobs and the benefits to farmers, the expansion will boost the local economy during construction.

«Cargill’s decision to choose Ohio was a collaborative effort with the company, JobsOhio, the Dayton Development Coalition and the Sidney community,» said Ohio Governor Mike DeWine. «This investment will secure full-time jobs at Cargill’s facility, create construction jobs for two years, and increase the demand for soybeans from local farmers.»

«Cargill’s continued investment in Sidney represents their commitment not only to the area’s agricultural community, but to consumers around the globe. Equally important, they have provided good jobs for our residents as well as the extended community. On behalf of the entire community, we welcome the announcement that Cargill has again chosen to expand operations in Sidney,» said Sidney Mayor Mike Barhorst.

Cargill is a proud member of the agricultural industry in Ohio. The company employs more than 1,400 people at 19 facilities around the state, paying tens of millions of dollars annually in salaries, wages and taxes. Cargill’s total direct investment in Ohio to date prior to this project is approximately $970 million. Additionally, Cargill has contributed $1.4 million to nonprofit organizations in the state to strengthen workforce readiness, agricultural education and more.

«Since Cargill began operating their soybean crush plant in Sidney, they have been outstanding corporate citizens,» said Mayor Barhorst. «Recognized and respected for their impressive stature in the community, Cargill has contributed to numerous good causes. Those causes have ranged from feeding the hungry, education and literacy to recreation and public health.»

Cargill’s 160,000 employees across 70 countries work relentlessly to achieve our purpose of nourishing the world in a safe, responsible and sustainable way. Every day, we connect farmers with markets, customers with ingredients, and people and animals with the food they need to thrive. We combine 154 years of experience with new technologies and insights to serve as a trusted partner for food, agriculture, financial and industrial customers in more than 125 countries. Side-by-side, we are building a stronger, sustainable future for agriculture.