The development of industrial refrigeration technology in the early 20th century allowed Patagonian sheep ranchers to intensify the scale of their operations -- meat joined wool as a major export commodity. Because the season for slaughtering animals lasted only a few months, early operators were obliged to process the perishable parts of the animals rapidly, by canning and fat-rendering. Once carcases could be safely stored for long periods, they were shipped year-round in specially-equipped ships to such large overseas markets as Britain. Early plants were built with foreign capital; later, local entrepreneurs (such as Menéndez and Braun) made important investments.