Sunflower seed processing company SunGold Foods is set to open a snack manufacturing facility in Lubbock, Texas, US. The facility, expected to create more than 100 new jobs over the next five years, will buy sunflower seeds from local producers.

It will roast, package and ship in-shell sunflower seeds, which will be sold as snack food across the US.

The plant will initially open with 40 employees, while an additional 65 jobs are expected to be created in the future. It is expected to have an impact of $17.5m on the local economy annually, reported Lubbockonline.com.

SunGold Foods has invested $11.5m to upgrade the previous Standard Sales Budwieser Distributor location in order to make it suitable for the sunflower seed processing.

SunGold Foods is a subsidiary of Fargo-based Red River Commodities, which owns a bird food facility in Lubbock.