ADM to open flour mill in response to bakers’ demand for flour
The facility, which will begin operations, in mid-2019 will have a daily milling capacity of 30,000 cwts, and grind soft and hard wheat to serve a variety of customer needs.
Chicago wheat mill to close
When it is fully operational, ADM intends to end production at its current wheat mill in Chicago, axing 60 jobs.
Mark Kolkhorst, president, ADM Milling, said the facility will provide additional capabilities to meet ongoing demand growth in the Midwest, where bakers are expanding their production capabilities.
“Our mill will enable us to drive efficiencies, thanks to the use of new technologies and equipment, and the ability to leverage capabilities of ADM’s existing grain facility in Mendota, such as unloading 110-car shuttle trains,” he said.
During the past two years, ADM has announced projects totaling more than $250m in the state of Illinois, including the Mendota flour mill, Animal Nutrition production facilities in Effingham and Quincy, and the company’s partnership with DuPont Industrial Biosciences to produce furan dicarboxylic methyl ester (FDME) from fructose.
“We are continuing to create shareholder value by expanding strategically and driving operational efficiencies,” added Kolkhorst.
“We are excited about this important investment, and committed to meeting our goals to deliver value for customers and shareholders alike.”
Multiple flour mills
ADM Milling is one of the world’s largest flour millers, with multiple wheat flour mills in the US, Canada, the Caribbean, Central America and the UK.
The Chicago plant was built in 1897 by B.A. Eckhart Milling, which operated it for decades. ADM purchased it from Dixie Portland Flour Mills in 1990 for about $14m, according to Cook County records.
"Right now, we're focused on continuing to deliver great results for customers from our Chicago mill," said Jackie Anderson, spokeswoman, ADM.
"When we get closer to transferring production, we'll be talking to employees about that process, including applying for other positions at ADM."
The 250,000-square-foot industrial facility sits on a 2-acre site and ADM is planning to sell the property, Anderson said.
