Agribusiness CHS Inc. recently carried out a project to expand the storage and processing capabilities of its dry bean plant in Othello, WA. The company said in a July 1 release that it is adding 50,000 sq ft of warehouse space to the facility, along with a new bean cleaning line and a fully automated packaging line.
“This investment substantially increases our manufacturing capacity, which will lower our overall production costs and position our plant to better support the growing demand for packaged products,” says Chris Guess, general manager of the Othello plant, said in a statement.
CHS said the COVID-19 pandemic has caused demand for dry beans to increase in the US and elsewhere. The expansion increased the Othello site's storage capacity by 35% and nearly tripled its throughput.
The Othello plant processes and packages 10 types of dry edible beans, which are sold under the CHS and El Mejor Frijol brands. The products are also sold in bulk or through private labels.
Powder & Bulk Solids reported in May that CHS is injecting $73 million into a project to improve the storage and handling capabilities of its Myrtle Grove, LA grain export terminal. The terminal, about 25 miles south of New Orleans, is the first on the Mississippi River. It currently handles soybeans, corn, rice, wheat, DDGS, and specialty grains for export to customers in the Asia Pacific and Latin America regions.
