4 November 2015 - Glanbia, the global nutrition company, together with their joint venture partners in Southwest Cheese, today announced that they are in advanced discussions for a $140m expansion of their cheese and whey production plant in Clovis, New Mexico. The expansion, which is expected to be completed in two years, will increase milk processing capacity by almost 30% and create an additional 50 jobs.
The joint venture between Glanbia and the dairy cooperatives of the Greater Southwest Agency, including Dairy Farmers of America and Select Milk Producers, currently processes over 220 truckloads of milk per day, making it one of the largest single site manufacturers of premium quality cheese and whey protein in the world.
Speaking at the announcement, Glanbia Global Ingredients CEO Brian Phelan said “I am delighted to announce, together with our joint venture dairy cooperative partners, that we are at an advanced stage in our discussions for the expansion of Southwest Cheese. Since the commissioning of the plant in 2005 the partnership has been extremely successful. With this expansion we are making a significant commitment to our employees, our producers, our customers, our local community and the economy of New Mexico as we seek to capture further domestic and international cheese and whey market share.”
The joint venture partners acknowledged the importance of local and state government support in New Mexico. Brian Phelan continued “The construction of Southwest Cheese started in 2004 on a greenfield site in Clovis. During our 10 years in the community we have expanded production and grown our footprint. We are thankful to the local and state government and agency support.”
The plant will supply some of the world’s leading food companies and meet cheese and whey demand both domestically and internationally. This expansion will increase Southwest Cheese employee numbers to more than 400 in Clovis.
For further information please contact:
Ireland Martha Kavanagh +353 87 6462006 [email protected]
USA John Dardis +1 202 748 3905 [email protected]
Notes to Editor:
Glanbia plc
Glanbia is a global nutrition company, grounded in science and nature and dedicated to providing better nutrition for every step of life’s journey.
Glanbia actively serves the nutritional needs of consumers directly through a range of branded products and as an ingredient partner to the wider food industry.
Glanbia has deep roots in the dairy industry and has become the world’s leading producer and marketer of quality performance nutrition products supporting active lifestyles. Its success as a global ingredients provider has been built on Glanbia’s expertise in nutritional solutions supported by significant investment in research and development.
With a turnover of over €3.5 billion per annum, almost 6,000 employees and a presence in 34 countries worldwide, Glanbia’s vision is to be one of the world’s top performing nutrition companies, trusted to enrich lives every day.
Southwest Cheese Company LLC:
Southwest Cheese Company is a joint venture between Glanbia plc, a global nutrition company, and dairy cooperatives of the Greater Southwest Agency, including Dairy Farmers of America and Select Milk Producers. This venture is 50% owned by Glanbia plc, with the balance primarily owned by DFA and Select Milk Producers.
Construction on the cheese plant started on a green field site five miles south of Clovis, in Eastern New Mexico in February 2004 and commissioned in the last quarter of 2005.
Today, Southwest Cheese employs over 380 employees in the Clovis area and is a world class leader, and the largest single site manufacturer of premium quality 40lb and 640lb block cheese (Cheddar, Monterey Jack, Pepper Jack, Colby Jack, Gouda) and whey protein powders.