ADM Official Discusses Expansion Plans in Effingham

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Published on October 7 2016 3:53 pm
Last Updated on October 7 2016 3:54 pm
Written by Greg Sapp

An official with the local Archer Daniels Midland operation in Effingham Friday discussed the decision announced earlier to expand and modernize the Effingham operation.

ADM National Account Manager Jill Lawrence spoke to the Effingham County Chamber First Friday Luncheon about plans to expand here rather than relocate to other ADM operations.

(JILL LAWRENCE)

Lawrence said ADM in Effingham is a pre-mix/blending plant that generates 70% pet food products and 30% livestock products. There is also distribution of those goods, with 30% of the product going to pet food companies and 70% going to livestock feed producers. 

Lawrence said the current Effingham operation is aging and dusty with some employees having to wear masks. She said there were ADM operations elsewhere that had either acreage or building space that could have meant the end of the local operation. ADM has been in Effingham since it acquired Goodlife Feed Additives and other Central Soya locations in 1994. A key in the process was the company's decision to grow in the pet food industry.

The company decided to stay in Effingham and to expand and modernize the local operation. Lawrence said the decision to stay was based on logistics in getting raw materials in and finished products out to their customers, as well as the 90-person local workforce that has proved its effectiveness and demonstrated expertise in customer service.

One thing that helped with the decision to stay in Effingham was the availability of the former Southeastern Container building in the City Business Park. The 284,000 square foot facility will be transformed into a new pet food and livestock premix plant, consolidated three existing Effingham facilities into the one location.

Lawrence said the $35 million expansion will reduce operating costs and make for better working conditions. She said ADM hopes to be in the new location in 2018 and said that's a good thing since the company expects to be at capacity at their current locations in Effingham within 12 months.