Hilmar Cheese to strengthen milk processing capabilities in US

US-based cheese and whey products manufacturer Hilmar Cheese plans to strengthen its milk processing capabilities in the US with a new milk powder processing plant in Turlock, California, a move which would create 40 full-time jobs in the region.

The project is part of the company’s efforts to cater to the increasing global demand for milk powders.

Work on the plant is scheduled to commence soon and the facility will incorporate advanced machinery to capture the water in milk to conserve ground water.

The plant will manufacture a range of milk powders, which will be marketed by the company’s Hilmar Ingredients unit.

Hilmar Cheese CEO and president John Jeter said, “The US dairy industry, and specifically California, is well positioned to be a consistent supplier to the world.”

Hilmar Ingredients vice president Tom Ielmini said, “With this expansion into milk powders, we are continuing our tradition of converting our high quality milk supply into the value-added products customers want.”

The company stated that the Turlock location provides numerous advantages such as export opportunities through the Port of Oakland.

The project will allow Hilmar to develop new relationships with dairy farmers who produce quality milk in the region, it added.

Earlier this month, Hilmar announced that it is close to completing the expansion project at its processing plant in Dalhart, Texas.

Established in 1984, Hilmar Cheese is a privately held corporation owned by 11 dairy families with 1,200 employees, and it processes cheese and whey ingredients at its facilities in California and Texas.