Global Harvest Expansion in Reynolds

REYNOLDS - Global Harvest's CEO Dave Williamson and Kyle LaRose, senior vice president of operations came to the Reynolds facility to view the expansion plans and celebrate the making this plant into the largest of nine. The expansion will add 163,000 sq. ft. of production and warehouse space for the wild bird seed company and includes thousands of feet of new rail line.
With the expansion, the plant will have the capacity to store 11 million pounds of wild bird seed. It will add three new production lines and 75 new employees.

Williamson said this opens up new markets for the company and the location is ideal for transporting the product east towards the coast. The southern east coast uses the highest amounts of bird seed. The company sells its variety of blended bird seeds through Tractor Supply Company, Wal-Mart and Kroger.

With the $30 million expansion, the plant will be able to process an additional half a million bushels of bird seed or 200 million pounds per year. "With more down the road," LaRose said.

He said the plant employs 140 currently with winter and spring being their busiest sea - sons. Of those 140, 90% live in White County.

The plant has been processing wild bird seed for 42 years, with two previous owners. Global Harvest acquired the plant 10 years ago.

The expansion project has begun with the building of a storage facility, which will take the place of the current building, which will be removed, and a new building erected in its place. "We're happy to get the support of the county and the community," Williamson said. Williamson lives in Seattle, Washington, headquarters of Global Harvest Foods, LLC.

Global Harvest Foods is a family owned business started in 1982.

(Text and photo by Cheri Shelhart News and Review)