USA – Hilmar Cheese Co. has broke ground for its new state-of-the-art production facility in Dodge City, which will utilize several technologies and processes to maintain a low carbon footprint.

In the short term, the company’s US$600 million investment will create 250 new full-time jobs.

The project is expected to bring an additional US$500 million in capital investment and an additional 750 jobs within the Dodge City area by late 2023.

The facility expected to become operational in 2024, will help the company meet the increasing demand for whey protein and cheese.

David Ahlem, President & CEO of Hilmar Cheese Company said: We are excited about this partnership with Dodge City. This community has a local and skilled labor force, a supportive and expanding agricultural region, and an excellent transportation network. It is a great location to invest in the future.”

Founded in 1984, Hilmar Cheese Company is one of the world’s largest producers of high-quality cheese and whey products.

Hilmar joins a long line of well-known food production companies investing in Kansas since the start of the Kelly Administration, including Schwan’s Company, Hostess, JTM Foods LLC, and Empirical Foods.

Governor Laura Kelly commented that “no matter how you slice it, this new Hilmar Cheese facility is a game-changer for southwest Kansas.”

She added that Hilmar’s investment represents the fact that more and more companies believe they can succeed in every corner of this state thanks to the city’s excellent workforce, strong infrastructure, and growing economy.

Hilmar is committed to being an industry leader in innovation and sustainability, which the company has blueprinted a state-of-the-art pipe design, automated systems, new landscaping plan.

According to the dairy company, the pipe design will minimize the water needed to keep the plant clean, and recycled water will be used to clean the facility and equipment.

Additionally, the automated systems will improve overall energy efficiency while the native and drought-tolerant landscaping will decrease the company’s greenhouse gas footprint and minimize water use.

The new expansion move by Hilmar cheese Co. comes at a time when there is an increased consumption of whey protein concentrate as a supplement among consumers.

This is because dieticians and doctors constantly recommend this protein powder to a large number of customers who demand protein supplements in their diets.

Whey protein is a combination of globular proteins extracted from whey, a by-product of cheese produced from milk.

Whey protein is a rich source of protein in comparison to soy, egg, and other proteins available in milk, which is consumed by all age groups.

The global market for whey protein is forecast to grow at a CAGR of 12.3% from 2020 to 2026, reaching a value of US$15.6 billion by the end of the period, according to a recent report by KBV Research.

Meanwhile, the global market is projected to grow from US$123.87 billion in 2021 to US$161.23 billion by 2028, at a CAGR of 3.84% in the forecast period, 2021-2028, Fortune Business Insight reports.

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