Tyson Fresh Meats, Inc., the Lexington, Neb.-based beef and pork unit of Tyson Foods, Inc., Omaha, Neb., announced plans to invest $47 million on a new, expanded boxed beef warehouse.

The project, which will begin this spring, will involve construction of a 50,000-square-foot warehouse on the southeast corner of the existing beef complex. Currently expected to be completed in mid-2016, it will improve the flow, efficiency and capacity of the plant’s boxed beef storage and distribution systems. It is not expected to add jobs to the plant, which employs more than 2,700 people.

“We’re re-investing in our Lexington plant because it’s an important part of our beef business, and we want to make sure it continues to operate successfully,” says Steve Stouffer, president of Tyson Fresh Meats. “We appreciate the support we’ve received from our team members, area cattle producers and the Lexington community since the plant opened almost 25 years ago, and we want them to know we expect our facility to remain a major contributor to the local economy for many more years.”

The Lexington beef complex, which has been in operation since 1990, produces commodity cuts of fresh beef such as ribs, loins, chucks and rounds, as well as various ground beef products. These products are vacuum-packed and boxed for sale to retail and foodservice customers throughout the United States and internationally.