97 Castro's revolution had little effect on the company's overall business. America's appetite for sugar remained strong, and sugar companies rushed to build new plants. In 1963 and 1964 alone, six new cane sugar factories opened in Florida; a seventh started production in Louisiana, and five new beet sugar plants went into operation. Western States was chosen as the centrifugal supplier for nine of the twelve plants. Western States had manufactured continuous centrifugals since 1948, but the technology took a giant step forward in 1961 with the introduction of the first continuous processing machine, the CC-1, which was first installed in a plant in 1964. The increase in sales and new products meant more employees and less empty space. The Hamilton plant received several expansions and new buildings to accommodate the growing workforce. left: Mass production of centrifugals continues at full speed above right: Just taking a break… Unknown; John Boggess (Production); Jerry Blair (Pricing); Mitch Flannery (Computer); and Harold Marlow (Billing). 1960