April 18, 2023
(press release)
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Richardson International (‘Richardson’) is pleased to announce a significant investment in its Wesson Oil facility in Memphis, Tennessee. This multi-phase project will replace the existing refinery with a new, state-of-the-art refinery plant, furthering Richardson’s ability to fulfill customer requirements and a growing global demand for vegetable oil. “The Wesson Oil facility in Memphis provides Richardson a strong retail brand and a great location supported by a very dedicated team of employees,” said Tobias Dewey (Vice-President, Oilseed Operations). “Collectively, these elements provided the confidence to support meaningful investment and innovation in the Memphis plant’s operations – including significantly expanding our industrial and food service offerings. We are excited that this plan will soon become fully realized.” When completed, the new refinery will modernize the site and significantly increase production and refining capacity. Improved efficiencies will also drive substantial reductions in water, energy, and wastewater volumes, aligning well with Richardson’s focus on responsible and sustainable business operations. Richardson continues to remain true to their philosophy of being a business in which customers and employees can place their trust. “There is a 360-degree aspect to what we do. In considering our employees, our plant, and the local community, Richardson strives to be a responsible operation,” said Jason Medawar (Senior Director, Operations, Memphis). “This latest announcement underscores our commitment to business sustainability, to best-in-class facilities, and to our team at Memphis. It also underscores a broader commitment to Shelby County, the city of Memphis, and the state of Tennessee. We are all proud to be part of a company that is here for the long term and an organization that is committed to making a positive impact in the broader community where we do business.” Expansion and modernization of the Memphis site follows closely behind additional initiatives from Richardson’s oilseed processing division, including a three-year expansion project at their facility in Yorkton, Saskatchewan – which is more than doubling crushing and refining capability – and an increase in crushing and refining capability at their Lethbridge, Alberta facility. Investments such as these underscore a commitment to delivering efficiency and quality, while reducing impacts on the environment. “We seek opportunities for enhancing our capabilities and providing an increasingly efficient means for meeting the needs of our food ingredient customers and a broader consumptive marketplace,” said Darrell Sobkow (Executive Vice-President, Processing, Food, and Ingredients). “With best-in-class assets, and by leveraging synergies in our integrated network, we are focused on maintaining our reputation as a reliable supplier and a partner of choice.”
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