August 30/Saraburi, Thailand/FnBNews -- Cargill is investing $10 million (about 300 million Thai Baht) to upgrade its integrated poultry processing facility in Saraburi, Thailand, which produces a range of cooked poultry products for food service chains, convenience stores, food manufacturers, retailers and distributors across Asia, Europe and North America.

The planned upgrades, which are expected to be complete by July 2014, include investing in the plant’s food safety system, installing more efficient equipment and expanding the facility’s cold storage capabilities.

“This investment enhances Cargill’s ability to continue to provide our customers with the highest quality products and services,” Prasit Maekwatana, president, Cargill Thailand, said, adding that it reflects its commitment to help consumers around the world succeed.

Cargill also recently completed the $110-million- expansion of its other poultry processing facility in Thailand, located in Korat. The two facilities have a total annual production capacity of 80,000 metric tons.

They are part of a fully-integrated poultry supply chain which includes breeder facilities, hatcheries, feed mills, pullet and grow-out farms, processing plants and a product development facility. Each step of the supply chain meets world-class bio-security and food safety standards.

“As one of Thailand’s largest exporters of cooked poultry products, Cargill is proud to make products that are enjoyed by people all over the world,” Maekwatana said, adding that the upgrades are the latest example of 45 years of Cargill’s investment in Thailand.

Cargill, which has been operating in Thailand since 1968, currently employs about 12,000 people across 10 locations.