Richardson International to expand oat processing facility in Canada  

CANADA – Richardson International Ltd., a leading Canadian agribusiness, has announced a significant expansion of its oat mill and processing plant in South Sioux City, Nebraska.

The project aims to more than double the facility’s granola packaging capabilities, enhancing production capacity to better meet the evolving demands of customers.

Rob Bielik, Vice President of Milling Operations at Richardson International, expressed enthusiasm about the investment:

“We’re very pleased to be making this investment at South Sioux City as a further commitment to our customers, plant staff, and the city,” Bielik stated.

“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.”

The expansion project is set to commence immediately, with an anticipated completion date in the first quarter of 2026. The company plans to implement advanced automation technologies to improve efficiency, while maintaining a strong focus on food safety and quality assurance.

Tony Pulford, Director of Operations at the South Sioux City facility, highlighted the positive impact on employment:

“We look forward to adding to our dedicated team members by hiring additional production positions that will become available from the expansion,” Pulford remarked.

Richardson’s South Sioux City oat mill currently has a capacity of 6,200 hundredweight (cwts) and a storage capacity of 4 million bushels.

The facility produces a variety of oat products, including groats, flakes, flour, and coated oats and granola clusters. Notably, the South Sioux City mill is certified gluten-free, adhering to strict allergen control protocols to ensure product safety.

This expansion follows Richardson’s strategic growth in the oat milling sector. In 2013, the company entered the oat milling business with the acquisition of three oat processing plants in Canada—Portage la Prairie, Manitoba; Martensville, Saskatchewan; and Barrhead, Alberta—as well as the South Sioux City facility in the United States. Today, Richardson is recognized as the largest oat miller in North America.

The company’s commitment to growth is further demonstrated by its recent investments in other facilities.

In April 2021, Richardson announced a significant investment in its Bedford, England oat mill, aiming to increase processing capacity by over 35%. This investment focused on enhancing operational efficiencies, modernizing the facility, and expanding storage capacity to meet the growing demand for oat-based products.

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