NAKURU, KENYA — Kenya-based edible oils manufacturer Bidco Africa has teamed up with U.S. conglomerate Land O’Lakes to invest $11.7 million in the upgrade of an animal feed mill in Nakuru.

The plant will have a processing capacity of 28 tonnes per hour, a move that will raise competition in the industry against existing players such as Unga Group.

Land O’Lakes is based in Arden Hills, Minnesota, U.S., and produces animal feed, dairy products and crop seed. The multinational, which is owned by farmers, reported net sales and net earnings of $15 billion and $255 million, respectively, in the year ended December 31, 2018.

“The plant is fully automated to ensure accuracy in production and reduce the chance of human error,” said Chris Diaz, a director of Bidco. “This will enable us to introduce four products, Pro Calf Starter, Pro Heifer Developer, Pig Starter 4-4-4 and Pro Calf Milk replacer into the Kenyan market.”

The plant, which will employ 100 workers, incorporates new technology to test every load of ingredients for quality (aiming for zero aflatoxins or other harmful elements) while ensuring the right mix of nutritional elements, the company said.