Fairlife LLC announced plans to increase overall production capabilities with the construction of a new 300,000-square-foot production and distribution facility in Goodyear, Ariz., a suburb of Phoenix. Chicago-based Fairlife currently produces multiple varieties of dairy-based beverages at its production plant in Coopersville, Mich., and distributes the beverages to retailers in the United States and Canada.
“I’m extremely proud that the demand for our milk has grown so much that we now need another manufacturing site,” said Tim Doelman, chief operating officer for Fairlife. “In choosing a new plant location, it is essential that the new facility be built in an area where dairy farms are willing and able to follow Fairlife’s responsible animal care and sustainable farming practices while producing the highest-quality milk. Not only are there amazing dairy farmers in and around Goodyear, its location enables competitive domestic and international production.”
The new $200 million-plus facility, which is slated to begin operation in the back half of 2020, will house production lines that will play a key role in meeting the growing demand for Fairlife products. Working with the United Dairymen of Arizona (UDA) to source milk from numerous dairy farmers in Goodyear, the new plant will enable increased production of all Fairlife products, including the different varieties of Fairlife ultra-filtered milk, Core Power, Fairlife YUP!, Fairlife Smart Snacks and Fairlife Nutrition Plan, the company said.
“Fairlife is a pioneer in the dairy industry, and having their new plant here will not only encourage innovation in Arizona, it will contribute to our efforts to grow our advanced manufacturing sector in our community,” stated Mayor Georgia Lord of Goodyear.
The new facility will incorporate advanced manufacturing technologies and efficient, energy-saving equipment to reduce power consumption, Fairlife said. It will create more than 140 jobs locally and augment benefits within the local economy, from the development and construction of the facility to the continuous resources and suppliers needed to support daily operations.
“Sometimes, I think back to that day over 20 years ago when Mike and I sat at our kitchen table and came up with the idea of cold-filtering our milk for higher nutrition,” said Sue McCloskey, dairy farmer and co-founder of fairlife. “We dreamt of a more nutritious milk for consumers.
“It is extremely rewarding to see the results of our hard work pay off and make this dream a continuing reality, thanks to the great dairy farmers here in Arizona,” she added. “We look forward to working with all our amazing partners and are committed to supporting the economic growth in the southwest region.”
