BISMARCK, N.D. — North Dakota Mill & Elevator, the only U.S. milling company owned by a state, is nearing completion on a $27 million expansion of its mill in Grand Forks, N.D. The expansion is expected to boost production capacity by about 30%, the company said. Startup at the mill is expected by late August or early September, according to the company.
In 2014, the North Dakota Industrial Commission authorized the expenditure of $19,815,000 to increase milling capacity by 11,500 cwts per day, and in the spring of 2015 an approval was made for an expansion project of $7,985,000 to construct a building on the mill’s property in Grand Forks.
With all the expansion over the past year, the North Dakota Mill has grown to become the sixth largest U.S. milling company, with total daily capacity of 49,500 cwts. It also is the nation’s largest mill, ahead of Kraft Foods’ Toledo, Ohio, mill, which has daily capacity of 31,000 cwts.
In addition to the update on the expansion, North Dakota Mill & Elevator reported fiscal 2016 results. Net income in the fiscal year ended June 30 totaled $9.3 million, down sharply from a record $16.7 million in fiscal 2015. Vance Taylor, president and general manager, said record shipment volumes helped offset tough wheat market conditions. Even so, profits lagged due to depressed wheat prices.
