DECATUR, ILL. — Archer Daniels Midland Co. said it will increase its North American wheat flour capacity at three U.S. wheat flour mills in Los Angeles, Minneapolis and Spokane, Wash., by a combined 7,500 cwts per day, and has modified an existing milling unit at its Buffalo facility to add soft wheat flour production.

"The expanded capacity will further strengthen ADM’s North American supply network and support regional demand growth," the company said.

As part of the expansion, ADM said it will expand its Spokane mill to 12,500 cwts per day from 10,500 cwts per day. Construction is under way and is expected to be completed in mid-2009, the company said.

In Los Angeles, ADM will expand its facility to 11,800 cwts from 10,800 cwts, with expansion expected to be completed in mid-2009.

ADM said it will convert one of its existing farina production units at its Minneapolis mill to be able to handle 4,500 cwts per day of white flour capacity. The expansion is expected to be completed in early summer of 2009.

According to the Grain & Milling Annual 2009 published by Sosland Publishing Co., ADM had U.S. wheat flour capacity of 279,400 cwts (a total that will grow to 286,900 cwts with the expansions) at its 23 U.S. wheat flour mills, making it the largest wheat flour milling company, ranking just ahead of Horizon Milling L.L.C. (a Cargill-Harvest States joint venture) with 275,000 cwts, and ConAgra Foods, Inc. with 251,100 cwts.