The new facility, which will employ approximately 180 people, will serve as a national production and distribution centre for Muller yogurt, which launched in select regional markets in 2012.
The facility opening was celebrated by US senator Charles E Schumer, PepsiCo chairman and CEO Indra Nooyi, Theo Muller Group owner Theo Muller, and various New York state and local officials.
“PepsiCo continues to perform at an extremely high level while simultaneously transforming our portfolio for the future and strengthening our position in high-growth food and beverage categories,” said PepsiCo’s Indra Nooyi. “We have invested over many years to expand our global nutrition offerings in ways that allow us to capitalise on new growth opportunities, and the new Muller Quaker Dairy facility demonstrates continued progress against this key business priority.
“The Theo Muller Group is a tremendous partner whose deep dairy expertise has allowed our joint venture to enter the US market with a delicious product that our consumers absolutely love. Thanks to the support of Senator Schumer and other leaders at the state and local levels, Muller Quaker Dairy has found a great home here in Batavia.”
The more than 350,000 sq ft facility will have three production lines initially, which can produce more than 120,000 cups of yogurt an hour. The facility can accommodate up to eight production lines with room for future expansion.
The company is targeting LEED certification for the facility, which would make it the largest LEED-certified dairy manufacturing plant in the world.
The facility sits on 82 acres of land in what has become one of the most concentrated milk producing and processing regions in the US.
Muller Quaker Dairy will source milk for the yogurt products locally. Products manufactured at the plant will include Muller Corner, Muller Greek Corner and Muller FrutUp varieties.
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