National Beef Packing Co. LLC announced last week that it is expanding boxed beef storage and shipping capabilities at its facility in Liberal, Kan. The news follows an announcement in July that National Beef was undertaking a similar expansion at its plant in Dodge City, Kan.

"Customers increasingly are requesting smaller and lighter boxes," said Dennis Boyles, vice president and general manager of National Beef. "This capital project will position us to more efficiently deliver the products customers want when they want them."

The $8 million project in Liberal includes the addition of a palletizer, crane, sorters and new shipping lanes. The expanded capabilities are scheduled to come on line in late spring 2017.

The Dodge City project will cost the company approximately $30 million and will include the addition of new box carousels, palletizers and cranes, as well as increased material handling and box storage space at the facility. The expansion is scheduled to be completed by December 2017.