Manufacturer investing $225M to expand Dayton-area facility

One of the Dayton region’s largest manufacturing companies is planning a massive expansion at one of its local facilities.

Cargill Inc., a Minnesota-based provider of food, agriculture, financial and industrial products and services, will invest $225 million to expand its integrated soybean crush and refined oils facility in Sidney.

The project will create new jobs and further enhance Cargill’s presence in the region.

With the expansion, Cargill says it will better serve area farmers and meet growing demand for protein and refined oil. The investment also will create greater market access for farmers’ crops in the area, and allow these farmers to deliver soybeans more efficiently as the upgraded plant will unload trucks at a faster rate, the company stated.

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

Warren Feather, Cargill managing director of global crush, added 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.”

The crush facility originally opened in 1978, with the refinery added a decade later. Today, the site serves as a 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 in Sidney. In addition to the new jobs and 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,” Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine said. “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.”

In addition to JobsOhio, the DDC and city of Sidney, Dayton Power & Light also has a hand in the project. The local energy company is contributing $300,000 toward the expansion, and is making infrastructure investments to ensure the project moves forward.

Sidney Mayor Mike Barhorst said 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,” Barhorst said. “On behalf of the entire community, we welcome the announcement that Cargill has again chosen to expand operations in Sidney.”

Cargill employs more than 1,400 people at 19 facilities around the state, paying tens of millions of dollars annually in salaries, wages and taxes. Prior to this project, Cargill’s total direct investment to date 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,” Barhorst said. “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.”

With more than 800 local employees, Cargill is one of the Dayton region’s largest manufacturing companies and one of its largest employers, according to DBJ research. Companywide, Cargill operates in 70 countries and has 160,000 employees.