POCATELLO, Idaho—Great Western Malting Co. has announced plans to expand its plant here, more than doubling production capacity to accommodate steady growth in the craft beer sector.
Work on the $75 million project is scheduled to commence during the third quarter of this year and should be finished by mid-2017, Jay Hamacheck, the company’s global director of corporate and social responsibility, said.
Hamacheck said the plant has the capacity to malt up to 100,000 metric tons of grain. The expansion, which will entail building a stainless steel facility by the existing concrete structure, will add another 120,000 metric tons of production capacity.
Hamacheck said another seven to 10 employees will likely need to be added to the current staff of 35.
Hamacheck said the project should increase purchasing of Idaho malt barley.
“It gives the farmers more opportunity for selling malt-grade barley,” Hamacheck said, adding malt barley commands a premium over feed barley.
Source: www.capitalpress.com