Luana, IA: Swiss Valley Farms held a groundbreaking ceremony to commence the $20.6 million technological update and expansion at its Luana, IA facility. The project, which was announced last November, centers around the improvement of the cheese manufacturing operating equipment, including the replacement of current press vats with a moulding system solution, installation of additional system automation, press tunnels, and new buffer tanks. It also includes a 49,000 square foot expansion, which will allow room for new equipment and additional warehousing space.
Over 65 people gathered to witness the groundbreaking ceremony, including management from Swiss Valley Farms, Luana plant employees, and members of Swiss Valley Farms Board of Directors, led by Chairperson Pam Bolin.
Also in attendance were several local officials and representatives, including Monona Mayor Barb Collins, Luana
Mayor Jerry Schroeder, Clayton County Chairman Gary Bowden, Clayton County Vice-Chairman Larry Gibbs, Clayton County Supervisor Ron McCartney, and Clayton County Economic Development Executive Director Darla Kelchen.
Swiss Valley Farms CEO Don Boelens began the ceremony by detailing the expansion effort and thanking the Iowa Economic Development Authority, the State of Iowa, Clayton County and Clayton County Economic Development for the incentives the company received as part of this project, totaling over $1.8 million. He also addressed the partnerships the company has formed with the cities of Monona and Luana.
“Your contributions to our project will have a positive economic impact on the region,” said Boelens. “We’re proud to have been able to retain all employees at this facility – there are no plans to eliminate any jobs despite the improvement in technology. In fact, even prior to the groundbreaking, we were able to create more than 10 jobs and ramp up production at this facility to 7 days a week, which will continue throughout the project’s completion.” Boelens went on to say once the project is complete, the future opportunities it will enable for Swiss Valley Farms will result in additional job creation and even further benefit the community.
Swiss Valley Farms Board Chairperson Pam Bolin echoed a similar sentiment. “At this time of low prices for dairy farmers and a need for more processing capability in the Midwest, this expansion is happening at a very good time! This is positive news for dairy farmers, our employees at Swiss Valley, our customers, the area communities and the state of Iowa,” said Bolin.
After the introduction, a golden shovel ceremony was performed and guests were able to sample the facility’s award-winning cheeses as well as ask questions to the engineers and contractors of the project who were also present. The Luana expansion effort is anticipated to be completed in late 2016 and will result in increased capacity and efficiency, giving the company the flexibility to produce new cheese varieties and sizes. This will also increase the production of Cream Cheese and Whey.
About Swiss Valley Farms & Luana
Swiss Valley Farms is a dairy cooperative, headquartered in Davenport, Iowa, with five cheese production facilities, located in Luana, Iowa, Shullsburg and Mindoro, Wis., Rochester and Faribault, Minn. Swiss Valley Farms has 575 dairy producer members in Iowa, Wisconsin, northern Illinois and southern Minnesota. The Luana plant continues to be the largest of company's manufacturing facilities, handling over 7,000 milk trucks per year. This milk is supplied by Swiss Valley's network of farmer-members and used to make its award-winning cheese products. The northeastern
Iowa facility, which was acquired by the company in 1967, currently manufactures Swiss, Baby Swiss, Gouda, Cream Cheese, Neufchatel and Sweet Whey. These products are sold nationally and even internationally, including Korea, the Philippines and Saudi Arabia. The plant currently employs 112 workers. Since its acquisition, the plant has undergone several renovations. In 1971, the company reconfigured the plant to produce Swiss in 100 lb. blocks. In 2001, new Swiss cheese making equipment was installed. Most recently, in 2010, new silos were installed to allow for increased milk storage capacity.
Source: Swiss Valley Farms
