Eagle, Idaho, USA-headquartered Lamb Weston Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: LW) joined with community and civic leaders on June 13 to celebrate the completed expansion of its operations in Hermiston, Oregon. The $250 million investment announced in 2017 adds a new processing line to the existing facility, increasing the company’s processing capacity for making frozen french fries. The expansion adds approximately 150 jobs to the local economy.
During a special grand opening ceremony, Lamb Weston President and CEO Tom Werner gathered with local elected officials and Lamb Weston Hermiston employees to commemorate the occasion.
“This expansion allows us to meet the growing global demand for french fries,” said Tom Werner. “We’re proud to be part of the community in Hermiston, and we’re especially grateful to our dedicated team and local partners who worked so diligently to make this expansion a reality.”
The 300,000-square-foot, state-of-the-art expansion adds a new processing line to the company’s existing facility, increasing production capacity by approximately 300 million pounds annually. More than 500 employees will make nearly 750 million pounds of frozen french fries annually. Products produced in Hermiston are served in restaurants in the United States and around the world.
Lamb Weston partnered with several officials and organizations in Hermiston and Oregon to establish its plans for expansion to include: Governor Kate Brown’s office, the City of Hermiston, Umatilla County & Commissioner Bill Elfering, and Rep. Greg Walden.
Lamb Weston is one of the area’s largest employers. A frozen potato industry leader, the company operates 25 manufacturing facilities in North America, Europe, China and Australia.
