In an ongoing effort to serve its protein customers, Cargill Protein, Wichita, Kan., is investing $146 million to expand the company’s Nashville, Tenn., facility, which will grow the company’s meat crumble offerings for food ingredient, foodservice and retail customers. It also includes construction of a state-of-the-art dried sausage production facility, and will create more than 100 jobs, which doubles the plant’s current employment.

“Our customers asked for new value-added cooked meat capabilities, and we are thrilled to be able to respond by investing in this expansion at our facility,” says Monte Metz, plant general manager. “Nashville is strategically located to serve our customers in a way that helps them improve their supply chain.”

“Our growth is a tribute to the 28,000 people on our team. They are passionate about helping our customers succeed by meeting consumer demands,” says Brian Sikes, Cargill Protein president. “We’re pleased to support investments like the Nashville expansion that help our customers grow and the communities where we operate prosper.”

Sausage production is scheduled to begin at Nashville during the first half of 2019.