Lamb Weston / Meijer opened its new production line in Bergen op Zoom, the Netherlands, yesterday. In addition to the new line, the entire production location has been completely renovated including the current production line. This investment of EUR120m enables Lamb Weston / Meijer to process potatoes in a more effective and sustainable way. A variety of specialties can be produced according the newest production methods.
The complete renovation of the existing production line and the addition of the new line enable Lamb Weston / Meijer to meet the global growing demand for existing and new frozen potato products and to improve customer service. The new production line includes innovation in the cutting, optical sorting, and frying, freezing and utility areas, all supporting the ambition for more sustainable and highly efficient production. This is consistent with the sustainability goals of Lamb Weston / Meijer, which revolves around creating shared value.
The construction and collaboration with all parties involved was a success. This permitted the expansion to be completed in only 1.5 years, without affecting the production of the existing line during that period.
Bert Jan Maris, plant manager in Bergen op Zoom: “The expansion and renovation of our plant fits in our sustainability strategy: less water, less energy, less emissions and less residues: we process the potatoes as optimally as possible”.
Joost Polderdijk, project leader De Kok Bouwgroep: “A special feature of this project is that the production continued during the expansion process. It was really important to always meet the food safety requirements of the customer”.
The expansion of the plant in Bergen op Zoom confirms that this is not only an ideal location for the supply and processing of potatoes but also for the distribution of frozen potato products such as Twisters, Crisscuts and fries. With the expansion of the plant, Lamb Weston / Meijer created more than 60 new jobs.
The company is not only expanding in the Netherlands: earlier this year, Lamb Weston / Meijer and Belaya Dacha established a joint venture to build a French fry plant in Lipetsk (Russia) to serve the Russian French fry market. This new plant will become operational early 2018.
Bas Alblas, CEO Lamb Weston / Meijer: “The Joint Venture with Belaya Dacha in June and this new production line in Bergen op Zoom reflect to our ambition to meet the growing demand of high quality potato products in a sustainable way”.
With the investment in Bergen op Zoom (the Netherlands), Lamb Weston / Meijer strengthens its dominant position in the international frozen potato products market. This expansion enables product innovations and provides the opportunity to improve the service to clients.
Lamb Weston Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: LW) also announced that it has completed the previously announced spinoff from Conagra Brands, Inc. (formerly ConAgra Foods, Inc.).
“Lamb Weston is well positioned to continue to drive growth and capture share in the global frozen potato market,” said Tom Werner, CEO. “As an independent, pure play company, we’re better able to sharpen our focus on what we do best to create shareholder value over the long term.”
Source: Potato Business
