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Valio is investing over €60 million to upgrade its Lapinlahti, Finland, cheese production plant. Lapinlahti, one of Valio's largest locations, receives about 415 million litres of milk annually. The plant, which employs about 285 people, produces ripened cheeses for both everyday and gourmet use, supplying the domestic market and exporting to Central Europe and the United States. The investment includes expanding existing facilities by 2,000 square metres and replacing outdated equipment. Packaging operations and equipment will also be updated. Additionally, the investment includes a new power substation and backup power system. Aleksi Ylitalo, director of Valio's Lapinlahti plant, said: “With this significant investment, we secure the continuity of cheese production for a long time to come. In practice, this means that, for example, our popular gourmet cheese, Valio Keisarinna, everyday favourite Valio Hyvä suomalainen Arki and dozens of other cheeses will continue to be found on store shelves. The investment will also reduce the waste generated in production and boost the cheese-making capacity of the Lapinlahti plant." He added: "The Kuopio region is the most important milk production region in Finland, and Eastern Finland is a significant area for food production in general. In Eastern Finland, the food production chain, from fields to dinner tables, employs a total of over 20,000 people. That means the region is a significant contributor to the security of food supply and food exports in Finland as a whole." Construction starts in the summer of 2024, with the new production line set to launch in the spring of 2026.