Starr a VP at Warden canola plant

Pacific Coast Canola, a subsidiary of Legumex Walker Inc., has announced the appointment of two members of its senior management team. R. Bruce McTavish has been named vice president of sales and marketing, and Stephen L. Starr has joined the company as vice president of seed procurement. McTavish will join the company on February 1, and Starr assumed his duties with the company at the end of 2011.

Joel Horn, president and CEO of Pacific Coast Canola and of parent company Legumex Walker, said the hiring of McTavish and Starr represents two important milestones for the company.

Horn noted the Pacific Coast Canola construction project remains on time and budget. The company expects to complete foundation work and commence above-ground construction this month.

McTavish previously was employed by Viterra Canola Processing where he served as director of sales and marketing and also has held sales and marketing positions at BASF Canada, Wyeth-Cyanamid Crop Protection, American Cyanamid and Pickseed Canada.

“This is an exciting project, and I’m pleased to be a part of it,” said Starr. “Our ability to source canola is a critical part of our business plan, and we’re hoping to do as much of it as possible right here in the Pacific Northwest. As I’ve begun meeting with growers and elevator operators I’ve seen strong interest in adding canola to crop rotations. We plan to build on that interest to substantially increase canola production in the region.”

Prior to joining Pacific Coast Canola, Starr was general manager of Inland Empire Oilseeds, a canola crushing and biodiesel refining facility located in Odessa. He also has held operations and managerial positions with Great Western Malting Company and Froedtert Malt Corporation.

Pacific Coast Canola is constructing its first canola crushing plant in Warden. Designed to process 1,100 metric tonnes of canola per day, the Warden facility will produce expeller-pressed canola oil and high-quality canola meal.

The facility is expected to be operational by early 2013 and is being constructed by Industrial Construction Group of Portland, Ore. Total cost of the plant is expected be approximately $110 million.