Lamb Weston opens $200m expanded operations in Washington

US-based potato company Lamb Weston Holding has opened its $200m expanded operations in Richland, Washington (WA).

With the addition of a new processing line, the expansion will increase the company’s frozen French fries production capacity. The facility expansion will also see the creation of 150 new jobs in the region.

Lamb Weston president and CEO Tom Werner said: “This expansion allows us to build on our presence here in Richland, WA, while increasing our capabilities so we can grow with our customers around the globe.”

As part of the expansion, the company has added 290,000ft² space to its existing facility to accommodate a new processing line, which will further enhance manufacturing capacity by nearly 300 million pounds per annum.

With an approximate workforce of 600 employees at both the existing facilities and expansion, the company estimates to annually produce around 600 million pounds of frozen French fries.

The potato company is reported to have partnered with several officials and organisations in the Tri-Cities and Washington for this expansion.

Lamb Weston currently operates several facilities in the Tri-Cities, including an Innovation Center in Richland, corporate offices in Kennewick, and two additional manufacturing facilities in Pasco.

It also has 24 manufacturing facilities in North America, Europe, and China.