USA – Darigold, the marketing and processing arm of the Northwest Dairy Association, a U.S. farmer-owned dairy cooperative, has announced plans to construct a new global ingredients plant as part of the strategic transformation of its global ingredients business.
The Seattle-based company has also announced a series of leadership changes which it says will drive organizational effectiveness and focus against the execution of this strategy.
Grant Kadavy will transition from his current role as COO to become Darigold’s chief growth and risk officer.
In his new position, Kadavy will lead the integration of new products, services and processes into the rest of the company’s network and functions.
Meanwhile, Joe Coote will join Darigold as president of its global ingredients sector, a new position – after spending over 11 years at Fonterra.
He will assume all operating responsibilities of the global ingredients business as well as oversee the corporate-wide global supply chain functions.
Duane Naluai has been promoted to President of Consumer Products. His formal responsibilities remain unchanged. Naluai formerly reported to Grant Kadavy as COO and will now report directly to the CEO.
Matthew Sagendorf has joined Darigold to lead the construction and start-up of a new large-scale global ingredients plant. Sagendorf brings over 20 years of experience in engineering and growth projects, with a specific background in greenfield and brownfield investments, as well as expertise in managing the construction and expansion of consumer production facilities.
“By creating new senior level positions, investing in the co-op’s largest capital project to date, doubling down on sustainability and streamlining distribution networks, Darigold is continuing to reinforce its commitment to be a leading global ingredients provider,” said Allan Huttema, chairman of Northwest Dairy Association (NDA).
The selection of a location for the “large-scale” plant is ongoing and will be announced in 2021, along with more specifics about the intended final products for commercialization.
The Northwest farmer-owned cooperative is also streamlining its international distribution capabilities to complement production investments and has signed a lease for just over 284,000 square-feet of warehouse space.
Through constructing a new plant and warehouse, Darigold said there will be “substantial improvements” to its environmental footprint of enterprise-wide operations. This marks a major step toward achieving its goal to become carbon neutral by 2050.
In 2018, Darigold finalised a 10-year transformation and growth strategy of its global ingredients business which included a substantial series of capital investments, including the construction of a new plant.
“With increased warehouse capacity closer to Seattle and Tacoma ports, it will be easier to manage our global container business and it will enhance our partnerships with international shippers,” Chris Stockwell, leader of the global supply chain for Darigold, said.
Earlier this year, Darigold announced a US$67 million investment in its Idaho production facility, as it seeks to meet the growing demand for its ultra-filtered, lactose-free milk product.
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