Cargill Protein, Wichita, Kan., is investing $4.2 million at its Columbia, S.C., plant to expand grinding capabilities for beef customers across the eastern United States. The investment includes precision grinding equipment that assures consistent, high-quality ground beef products.

Once installed in May, the equipment expands the plant’s production by 15%, allowing the plant to produce enough ground beef to meet customer growth.

“Cargill purchased the Columbia facility in 2016, and today, we have more than 200 Columbia employees delivering high-quality beef to our U.S. customers. This investment shows our commitment to the beef industry in the Eastern U.S., and allows us to deliver on the increasing needs of beef customers in the region, through the installation of higher performance production technologies,” says John Keating, president, business operations and supply chain.