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Bongards’ Creameries is investing $135 million to expand its process cheese manufacturing facility in Bongards, Minnesota, as it seeks to meet growing domestic and international demand.

The project will add approximately 120,000 square feet to the site, including 50,000 square feet of production space and a 70,000-square-foot automated warehouse.

Once operational, the expanded facility will be able to produce an additional 180 million pounds of process cheese annually for the foodservice, retail, industrial ingredients and export markets.

The development will incorporate advanced processing technology to improve efficiency and product consistency, while giving Bongards greater flexibility to meet changing customer requirements.

Dennis Thomas, chief executive officer of Bongards’ Creameries, said: “As consumer demand evolves and global opportunities continue to expand, we are positioning Bongards to be the partner of choice for our customers and an enduring source of value for our member-owners.”

The investment, one of the largest in the dairy cooperative’s 118-year history, is also expected to generate regional economic activity during construction and create longer-term operational opportunities.

Founded in 1908, Bongards’ Creameries is a farmer-owned cooperative supplying dairy products across North America and international markets.

Construction is scheduled to begin in the fourth quarter of 2026, with commercial operations expected to start in early 2028.