Celebrating 20 years of excellence at Southwest Cheese
At Glanbia, our purpose is to deliver better nutrition. We achieve that through world-class innovation, sustainable practices, and a commitment to excellence across twenty-seven manufacturing sites worldwide.
This year, we celebrate a major milestone - twenty years of our Southwest Cheese joint venture in Clovis, New Mexico. Formed in partnership with Dairy Farmers of America and Select Milk Producers, Southwest Cheese has grown into one of the world’s leading cheese and whey manufacturing facilities. It is a key part of Glanbia’s Dairy Nutrition division and a provider of high-quality dairy and protein solutions for customers across the globe.
“Southwest Cheese represents what’s possible when partnership and purpose come together,” said Brian Phelan, CEO of Glanbia Nutritionals. “Together with our partners and employees, we’ve built a world-class facility and a culture grounded in Glanbia’s strong values.”
From its beginnings as an ambitious investment in the US dairy industry, the plant has become a model for operational excellence and innovation. Above all, this milestone is a tribute to the team at the site.
That team includes many who’ve been there since the start. Paul Conrow, Cheese Production Manager, has worked at the plant for twenty years. He highlights the shared pride that comes with quality craftsmanship. “Every block of cheese that leaves this plant is made by people who genuinely care. We know our product is enjoyed by people all over the world. Coming from a small hometown in eastern New Mexico, that’s something we take pride in.”
Beatrice Perkins, Quality Control Lab Technician, shares a similar sense of belonging. “I am proud of how we all work together to make the best product and take pride in knowing we’ve all had a hand in the process,” she said.
Over the past two decades, Southwest Cheese has played a pivotal role in establishing Glanbia as one of the largest producers of American-style cheddar and a global leader in protein solutions. It stands as a testament to the strength of partnership and the power of a shared commitment to excellence.
“As someone who’s been connected to Southwest Cheese from the very beginning, I’ve seen first-hand the passion, ingenuity and teamwork that make this site great,” said Tom Tench, CEO of Dairy Nutrition. “The success of Southwest Cheese is built on the dedication of its people, past and present, whose commitment to quality and innovation continues to inspire confidence in our future growth.”
As Southwest Cheese looks to the future, the focus remains on people, performance, and partnership. The same foundations that have guided its first twenty years will continue to drive success ahead.