San Diego-based SureBeam Corp., is constructing its third e-beam service center near Los Angeles. Scheduled to open by the end of 2001 with an annual processing capacity in excess of 250 million pounds, the service center will process meat and other fresh and frozen food products and spices. In late March, SureBeam announced it was constructing a regional center near Chicago, the number one area in the national for meat and sausage processing. Combined, the new West Coast and Chicago centers will triple the company's national processing capacity, allowing it greater flexibility for servicing its customers. The third center, and SureBeam's first combined e-beam/x-ray facility, is located in Sioux City, Iowa. A key innovation within the newest facility will be the capability to use e-beam and x-ray scanning systems simultaneously, to accommodate differences in product size and shape.