Cargill plans to invest $48 million in a new automated order distribution system at its Dodge City, Kan., beef-processing facility, the company announced in a release.  Construction will begin during the fourth quarter of calendar 2013, with the new system scheduled to be operational by spring 2015.  The new order distribution system, capable of holding approximately 155,000 boxes of beef, will be housed in a new 62,000-square-foot building specifically constructed for that purpose.  This will increase boxed beef capacity at Dodge City by 130,000 boxes.

“This new distribution system will benefit our customers by improving order accuracy and on-time delivery, in addition to providing better capability to handle the ever-increasing complexity of product offerings shipped to domestic and international markets,” said John Keating, president of Wichita, Kan.-based Cargill Beef.  “Installation of this new system will help us better meet our customers’ expectations, something we have demonstrated as a core competency through similar investments made in recent years at our Schuyler, Neb.; Friona, Texas; and High River, Alberta, Canada, beef processing plants.”

Additionally, Cargill announced plans for a $10 million investment to upgrade its integrated poultry-processing facility in Saraburi, Thailand. The upgrades, which are expected to be complete by July 2014, include investing in the plant’s food-safety system, installing more efficient equipment and expanding the facility’s cold-storage capabilities. Cargill also recently completed a $110 million expansion of its other poultry processing facility in Thailand, located in Korat. Together the facilities have an annual production capacity of 80,000 metric tons.

“This investment enhances Cargill’s ability to continue to provide our customers with the highest quality products and services,” said Prasit Maekwatana, president of Cargill Thailand. “Our customers work each day to meet the changing demands of consumers around the world, and this investment reflects our commitment to help them succeed.”

Source: Cargill