WhiteWave Foods to expand dairy facility in Virginia

American food and beverage company WhiteWave Foods is planning to invest $69.8m to expand its dairy facility in Rockingham County, Virginia, US, a move which is expected to create 36 new jobs.

The expansion involves the addition of a new warehouse facility and machinery to boost production and meet increased market demand for the company’s products.

The facility currently manufactures Silk dairy alternatives, Horizon Organic milk, International Delight flavoured creamer and coffee beverages, and LAND O LAKES dairy products.

The Virginia Economic Development Partnership worked with Rockingham County and the Shenandoah Valley Partnership to secure the project for Virginia, which competed against Texas for the project.

Governor McDonnell approved a grant of $800,000 to WhiteWave Foods from the Virginia Investment Partnership programme, an incentive available to existing companies in Virginia.

The Virginia Department of Business Assistance, through its Virginia Jobs Investment Programme, will provide funding and services to support the company’s recruitment, training and retraining activities.

McDonnell said that more than $190m has been invested in property and equipment at the Mount Crawford plant – which has been in operation for 25 years – since 2000.

"WhiteWave Foods Company is a vital part of the Rockingham County business community, and this tremendous project ensures continued growth and the potential for additional expansion projects at the facility due to increased capacity," McDonnell added.

WhiteWave Foods Supply Chain vice president Jim Peacock said: "At WhiteWave, we are focused on investing in our Mount Crawford facility in response to increased consumer demand for our Silk, Horizon Organic, International Delight and LAND O LAKES products."

Virginia Secretary of Commerce and Trade Jim Cheng said WhiteWave Foods was "thriving" in Rockingham County.

"The company continues to choose to invest in Virginia due to the skilled labor pool, the proximity to the East Coast population base, and the available property that enables expansions," he said.

"We welcome the addition of 36 new jobs to the employee base of more than 400 at the Mount Crawford plant," Cheng added.

WhiteWave Foods manufactures, markets, distributes and sells branded plant-based foods and beverages, coffee creamers and beverages, and premium dairy products throughout North America and Europe.

The company’s European brands include Alpro and Provamel.