Saputo to invest CAD 45m to convert Wisconsin cheese facility

Saputo is investing CAD 45 million (approx. $35 million) to convert its cheese facility in Wisconsin, as it looks to streamline its footprint in the US. 

Through its capital investments and consolidation initiatives announcement, the dairy giant revealed plans to convert its mozzarella cheese facility in Reedsburg, Wisconsin, into a goat cheese manufacturing plant. The investment will increase capacity and expand Saputo’s position in speciality cheese categories.

Meanwhile, Saputo also plans to close its existing goat cheese manufacturing facility in Belmont, Wisconsin, impacting approximately 200 employees. Both initiatives will begin in the second quarter of fiscal 2023 and are expected to take up to 18 months to implement.

Lino A. Saputo, president and CEO of Saputo, said: “The latest series of investments and consolidation activities will strengthen the competitiveness and long-term performance of our cheese operations in our USA sector, while increasing efficiency and productivity”.

He continued: “The initiatives we are announcing today will allow us to enhance our manufacturing footprint and drive organic growth. We have been increasingly focused on accelerating our global strategic plan initiatives, identifying new opportunities to streamline the operating model and further improve our cost structure.”