Cargill is investing $48 million in a new automated order distribution system at its plant in Dodge City.

Construction will begin during the fourth quarter of 2013, with the new system scheduled to be operational by spring 2015.

The new order distribution system, capable of holding approximately 155,000 boxes of beef, will be housed in a new 62,000-square-foot building specifically constructed for that purpose.

The construction will increase boxed beef capacity at Dodge City by 130,000 boxes.

The new system will replace a system that has served the plant since Ronald Reagan was president of the United States.

The Dodge City plant supplies beef products to retail, foodservice and processed foods customers throughout the U.S., and internationally.

Cargill’s Dodge City beef processing facility opened for business in 1979, employs nearly 2,700 people and harvests 6,000 head of cattle daily.