Major upgrades at Walton & Buffalo sites to drive capacity, tech innovation, and job growth.
Lactalis USA, the U.S. arm of the world’s largest dairy company, has announced a sweeping $75 million investment to modernize two key New York dairy plants. The Walton facility in Delaware County will receive a $15 million upgrade to automate cottage cheese and sour cream production—upgrading equipment, labs, and infrastructure—aiming to boost output by 30% and generate 20 new jobs.
At the Buffalo site, a $60 million expansion will add six massive 50,000‑lb vats, advanced cheese-belt systems, separators, silos, and robotic palletizers. The plant, known for producing Galbani-brand cheeses, will expand capacity and create about 30 new positions.
Both projects will benefit from $1.3 million in Excelsior Jobs Program tax credits—$750,000 allocated to Walton and $550,000 for Buffalo—and are slated for completion by 2027. New York Governor Kathy Hochul emphasized the initiative as a vital boost to local dairy farmers, manufacturing jobs, and a key sector of the state’s agricultural economy.
The investment consolidates Lactalis USA’s commitment to supporting New York’s domestic dairy infrastructure, reinforcing the company’s broader presence—employing around 4,000 Americans and owning brands like Galbani, Breakstone’s, and Stonyfield. This aligns with the global group’s recent CSR focus on plant modernization, sustainability, and community investment.
In a wider context, upgrading dairy processing capacity supports resilience across the supply chain—from farmgate to retail. By automating and scaling production of cheese, cottage cheese, sour cream, and yogurt, Lactalis is tapping into growing consumer demand and reinforcing the economic viability of local dairy farms.
Source: Times Union — https://www.timesunion.com/business/article/lactalis-modernizing-dairy-plants-to-create-jobs-20400580.php
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