DairiConcepts expands with production facility acquisition

Springfield, MO--DFA, a dairy cooperative which markets and processes mild for more than 24,000 dairy farmers across the United States, agreed to sell its Pollock, SD cheese plant to joint venture partner, DairiConcepts, based in Springfield, MO.

Last summer, the Pollock plant retooled its processing, packaging, and shipping lines to accommodate new state-of-the-art technology. The sale comes at a time when growth potential climbs, worldwide, for product innovation and specialized food ingredients.

This spring, as the newest member of DairiConcepts' manufacturing team, the Pollock facility will begin producing cheese and dairy based ingredients for sophisticated food applications. the sale to DairiConcepts was effective January 1, 2001.

"This cheese plant has a long heritage within the community of being a key employer and manufacturer of top quality dairy products. We are pleased to be able to keep this operation open through DFA's joint venture relationship with DairiConcepts. The plant will continue to provide local job opportunities for residents and create added-value markets for milk that is locally produced by the region's dairy farmers," says Gary Hanman, DFA president and chief executive officer.

"We are pleased to have the Pollock facility and community as part of our future. for years, the facility has produced quality cheese and now we have the opportunity to integrate it with our custom cheese flavor group. As we continue to grow, it is important to optimize our process back to the primary ingredient of cheese," says John Weidner, president and chief operating officer of DairiConcepts

Formed in May 2000, DairiConcepts, L.P is a limited partnership with equal ownership by DFA and the New Zealand Dairy Board. The company maintains sales and service offices in Springfield, MO and Hummelstown, PA and production facilities in Hummelstown; Bruce, WI; Zumbrota, MN; and Eldorado Springs, MO.

SOURCE: DairiConcepts, L.P.