Monsanto Canada will invest more than C$14 million to expand a canola seed manufacturing plant in Lethbridge, Alberta. The company will spend the money on its hybrid seed processing capabilities, build a new cleaning plant, and increase the size of its bulk storage.
"Our canola hybrid production volume has increased at a rapid pace and our current facility is not adequate to support our expected continued growth in this segment of our business," said Ryan Baldwin, president of Monsanto Canada's Seed and Traits business. "By bringing everything under one roof, we will gain efficiencies and enhance our quality control. It's the right thing to do for the growth we are forecasting which is driven by the improved performance of our DEKALB canola hybrids and the future pipeline of traits we expect to deliver to canola growers over the next five to 10 years."
Construction will begin in September, and is expected to be complete by August 2011. The expansion will eliminate Monsanto’s use of outside seed cleaners.
