Lamb Weston opens expanded operations in Washington

Lamb Weston joined with community and civic leaders on Oct. 16, to celebrate the completed expansion of its operations in Richland, Washington. The $200 million investment announced in 2016 adds a new processing line to the existing facility, increasing the company’s processing capacity for making frozen french fries. The expansion adds approximately 150 jobs to the local economy.

During a special grand opening ceremony, Lamb Weston President and CEO Tom Werner was joined by Washington State Senator Sharon Brown of Richland, President & CEO of the Tri-Cities Economic Development Council (TRIDEC) Carl Adrian, and Lamb Weston Richland employees to commemorate the occasion.

“This expansion allows us to build on our presence here in Richland, Washington, while increasing our capabilities so we can grow with our customers around the globe,” said Werner, president and CEO of Lamb Weston. “We’re proud to be a part of the community in the Tri-Cities, and we’re especially grateful to our community partners who worked with us to make this expansion a reality.”

The 290,000-square-foot expansion adds a new processing line to the company’s existing facility, increasing production capacity by approximately 300 million pounds annually. More than 600 employees at both the existing facility and expansion will make 600 million pounds of frozen french fries annually.

Lamb Weston partnered with several officials and organizations in the Tri-Cities and Washington to establish its plans for expansion. The company recognized Governor Jay Inslee’s office, the Department of Commerce, the City of Richland, Senate Majority Leader Mark Schoesler, Senator Sharon Brown, TRIDEC, the Port of Benton and the Association of Washington Businesses.

Lamb Weston is one of the Columbia Basin’s largest employers, with several offices and facilities in the Tri-Cities, including an Innovation Center in Richland, corporate offices in Kennewick, and two additional manufacturing facilities in Pasco. The company operates 24 manufacturing facilities in North America, Europe and China.