The expansion will allow the company to process up to 20% more milk, converting it into cheese and whey proteins.
Source: Hilmar Cheese
DALHART, Texas – Hilmar Cheese Company, Inc. is making additional investments in cheese production at its facility in Dalhart, Texas.
The growth expands the facility’s footprint and increases milk receiving capabilities, cold storage space and 640 cheese block processing equipment. Staffing will also grow bringing total headcount to more than 420. This investment comes as an earlier expansion to the 40 lb. natural cheese processing is fully operational. The facility now processes nearly 200 tanker-loads of milk each day.
“A growing milk supply and a stable regulatory environment make Texas a great place to invest in cheese processing,” said John Jeter, CEO and president.
Hilmar Cheese Company built the Texas facility from a green-field site in 2005. The company began processing cheese and whey protein in September 2007. In 2010, the facility expanded as part of Phase II which included four additional milk receiving bays, increased cheese production, and equipment to expand whey protein offerings from four to seven varieties. Earlier this year, the company undertook a third expansion to its cheese production.
Other improvements have included additional water conservation and recycling capabilities.
“Our latest expansion is scheduled for completion in early 2015.” David Ahlem, COO, said. “It allows us to process up to 20% more milk, giving us more cheese and whey proteins to meet the world’s increased appetite for American dairy products.”
Hilmar Cheese Company Inc., founded in 1984, is a privately held corporation. It serves customers in more than 50 countries. The company operates production facilities in California and Texas and converts milk from more than 230 dairy farms into a variety of cheese and whey ingredients. The company specializes in the production of natural cheddar and natural American-style cheeses utilized by private label and national brand companies worldwide. Its Hilmar Ingredients division manufactures and markets globally a wide range of whey protein and lactose products with a new milk powder line coming in late 2015.