Canadian agribusiness Richardson International has unveiled plans to expand its oat mill and processing facility in the US state of Nebraska.

This expansion will more than double the site’s granola packaging capacity, allowing Richardson International to “better meet evolving customer needs", it said.

Rob Bielik, the VP of Richardson International's milling operations, said the investment at the plant in South Sioux City is “a further commitment to our customers, plant staff and the city.”

“Richardson is proud to have one of the most efficient oat supply chains in North America – from origination to the manufacture of finished products. This expansion is the next chapter in our continued evolution,” Bielik said.

The construction at the site is scheduled to start immediately, with the completion of the project targeted for the first quarter of 2026.

The build, according to the company, will feature the "latest advancements" in automation technology, aimed at creating "efficient capacity" while emphasising "food safety and quality assurance."

The facility produces a variety of oat products, including groats, flakes, flour, and coated oats and granola clusters.

Richardson International South Sioux City operations director Tony Pulford said the expansion will also include “adding to our dedicated team members by hiring additional production positions that will become available from the expansion”.

In April last year, Richardson International announced the replacement of its Wesson Oil facility in the US state of Tennessee, with a new plant in Memphis.

The company said the Memphis plant would “modernise the site and significantly increase production and refining capacity”.

Richardson, which is spending $220m on the project, said at the time it was trying to meet increasing international demand for vegetable oil.