Cargill will expand its meat crumbles range and add a dried sausage wing to the factory, doubling the current workforce at the site, based in Tennessee’s capital city.

Expansion will cost a total of $146m, said Cargill Protein, the North American division of Cargill, one of the biggest privately-owned companies in the US.

“Our customers asked for new value-added cooked meat capabilities and we are thrilled to be able to respond by investing in this expansion at our facility,​” said Monte Metz, plant general manager.

“Nashville is strategically located to serve our customers in a way that helps them improve their supply chain.​”

Cargil’s two-year recruitment drive​

Sausage production at the facility is expected to start during the first half of 2019.

Expansion in Nashville comes after Cargill has already pumped close to $850m into growing its US-based meat empire, creating hundreds of jobs nationwide.

“We are thrilled that Cargill is increasing its investment in Nashville and creating 100 new jobs at this state-of-the-art facility,​” said Tennessee Department of Economic & Community Development commissioner Bob Rolfe.

“This expansion is a testament to the dedication of the plant’s employees and the hard work they put in each and every day.​”

Some of Cargill’s most eye-catching investments include plans to build a huge 190,000sq ft headquarters​ for its protein division in Wichita, Kansas.

Earlier this year, in September, the business posted a 14% year-on-year rise in quarterly earnings​, with strong demand for beef and poultry in the US powering its performance.

Brian Sikes, Cargill group president North American protein, added: “Our growth is a tribute to the 28,000 people on our team. They are passionate about helping our customers succeed by meeting consumer demands.​

“We’re pleased to support investments like the Nashville expansion that help our customers grow and the communities where we operate prosper.​”