Grain Millers, one the largest oat buyers in Western Canada, has quietly announced a $100 million expansion of its plant in Yorkton, Sask.
In a news release issued Friday afternoon, Grain Millers Canada Corp. said the project would add 80,000 tonnes of production capacity to its mill, where it manufactures a range of conventional and organic oat products.
“We’ve operated in Saskatchewan for 20 years,” said Terry Tyson, grain procurement director for Grain Millers.
“Yorkton is in the heart of oat country and, with the skilled workforce we have here, it is a great location for us to continue growing our milling business.”
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Grain Millers has headquarters near Minneapolis and it operates mills in the U.S. Midwest, Oregon, Mexico and Yorkton. Along with Richardson International, it is one of the largest oat processors in Western Canada.
“This expansion is the latest in a series of capacity and capability investments for (Grain Millers),” said Steve Eilertson, company president.
A bigger oat mill means that Yorkton, already home to two major canola crushing plants, becomes an even larger destination for prairie grains and oilseeds.
The Grain Millers expansion will create 25 new and permanent jobs, along with 110 jobs during construction.
“Our government welcomes this large $100 million investment,” said Premier Brad Wall in a statement.
“Our government has worked hard to strengthen the Saskatchewan Advantage and we will continue to ensure we have a competitive environment for projects like this one.”
Grains Millers said the project should be complete by late 2018.
robert.arnason@producer.com
