Integrated Bakery Resources, a Cargill company, celebrates grand opening of world-class blending plant in Gilliam County, Oregon

26/06/06 Integrated Bakery Resources (IBR), a Cargill company, today celebrates the grand opening of its innovative, world-class blending plant in Arlington. The grand opening festivities are part of the Gilliam County Wheat Quality Project, which includes the Gilliam County Grains Quality Lab and WI Construction, Inc.

The day’s agenda includes tours of the IBR facility and the quality lab, as well as food, music and fun for community members of all ages. The event is free and open to the public. Tours begin at 9:30 a.m., followed by a program at 11:30 a.m. and a barbeque lunch at 12:30 p.m. The location is Shutler Station Industrial Park, seven miles south of Arlington on Highway 19 (Cedar Springs Lane entrance).

In addition, IBR and Cargill will present a $20,000 donation to local school districts. The Arlington School District will receive $10,000 for its music program and the Condon School District will receive $10,000 for its FFA program.

“On behalf of Cargill and Integrated Bakery Resources, we are very pleased to be here in Arlington today for this festive grand opening event,” said John Geisler, corporate vice president, Cargill. “We couldn’t be more proud of our association with Gilliam County and the people who live and work here,” he said.

The IBR blending facility came to Arlington as a result of a public/private partnership involving the tireless support of local, regional, and state congressional communities, including Judge Laura Pryor and the Gilliam County Commissioners. The facility employs 21 people from the surrounding area and is located near a main East/West transportation route (Interstate 84), allowing access to competitive freight rates and many back haul opportunities.

“This 50,000-square-foot mix facility was custom-designed to provide innovative products and services to our customers,” said Pat Shannon, president, IBR. “Our employees here, all from the local area, help us ship mixed ingredients for breads and baked goods to locations all over North America.”

According to Shannon, IBR will have the opportunity over the next several years to access local farm products, which supports both the local farming community and ensures IBR of a source of high quality ingredients.

“This is a world-class, high quality facility, thoughtfully designed to be efficient and economical so we can keep our costs very competitive,” said Shannon. “We’re really excited to be here in Gilliam County.”

Speakers at the grand opening event include Katy Coba, director, Oregon Department of Agriculture; Ray Naff, senior policy advisor for Oregon Governor Kulongoski; Ann Burblinger, United States Economic Development Administration; Bob Repine, director, Oregon Department of Economic and Community Development; and Laura Pryor, Gilliam County Judge.

John Geisler, Pat Shannon and Paul Hillen, business unit leader, Cargill Food Systems, also will make remarks and will be available for media interviews at the event.