HOPE, MINNESOTA, US — Global Processing, a manufacturer of non-GM and organic food ingredients, has entered into an agreement to purchase a soy processing facility in Hope, Minnesota.

The company said the location in Steele County was strategically chosen as part of Global Processing’s expansion plan to improve service and product offerings to soy customers around the world.

The facility is currently 90% operational and on pace for trial operation by the 2022 harvest, Global Processing said. Full-scale operations will occur by December of this year.

The acquisition will have a positive impact on local farmers who are capable of producing high quality soybeans, said Carey Williams, chief executive officer of Global Processing.

“There is a strong base of experienced soy producers in the region around Hope who excel at growing some of the best food grade soy,” Williams said. “We are excited to partner with those farmers and provide them with a competitive marketing channel for their specialty soybeans.”

He said Global Processing’s new facility will allow the company to better serve its customers around the world. It is near five operating shipping container yards, providing service to US ports on the East Coast, West Coast and South Coast.

“With the challenging worldwide container access issues in 2021, our company prioritized and escalated this acquisition as a direct response to the needs of our customers,” said Rob Prather, chief ambassador at Global Processing. “The operation provides capacity support for existing specialty products underserved by market demand. In addition to the current product lines, it will supply new products, proteins, and ingredients that help buyers operate more efficiently. This leads to less reliance on logistics thus helping contribute to a reduced global footprint.”

Global Processing also has operations in Iowa, Illinois and Nebraska.