Irish dairy company Glanbia PLC said today it is in “advanced discussions” to expand its cheese and whey production plant in Clovis, N.M. The planned $140 million expansion is expected to be completed in two years. It would increase milk processing capacity by almost 30% and create an additional 50 jobs, according to the company. The plant was commissioned in 2005.
Glanbia’s joint venture partner are the dairy cooperatives of the Greater Southwest Agency, which include Dairy Farmers of America and Select Milk Producers. The Greater Southwest Agency processes over 220 truckloads of milk daily, making it one of the largest single site manufacturers of premium quality cheese and whey protein in the world, according to a Glanbia press release.
According to the Dairy Foods’ Dairy 100, Glanbia is the 19th largest dairy processor in North America. Its 2014 revenues were approximately $2.326 billion. The company has three processing plants in Idaho: Blackfoot, Gooding and Twin Falls. A Dairy Foods analysis in August showed that the net value of Glanbia’s property, plant and equipment increased 31% in a year, behind only Agropur and WhiteWave.
Glanbia’s annual worldwide revenues are 3.5 billion euros (about $3.8 billion). It has almost 6,000 employees and a presence in 34 countries. Southwest Cheese Co. is a joint venture between Glanbia the Greater Southwest Agency, which include the dairy co-ops Dairy Farmers of America and Select Milk Producers. This venture is 50% owned by Glanbia plc, with the balance primarily owned by DFA and Select Milk Producers. Select Milk Producers is a 50% owner (along with The Coca-Cola Co.) of fairlife LLC, Dairy Foods’ 2015 Processor of the Year.