BROOKINGS, S.D. — The formal opening on Friday of the Bel Brands USA plant in Brookings is part of a decades-long effort to make South Dakota a major player in not just milk production but also dairy products, the state secretary of agriculture said.
Bel Brands said its 250 employees will produce 1.5 million Mini Babybel cheese wheels a day when the $140 million operation is at capacity next year. The Paris-based company, also known for The Laughing Cow cheese wedge, said the plant will help meet growing U.S. demand for Mini Babybels, sales for which have nearly tripled since 2009.
Frederic Nalis, CEO of Bel Americas and president and CEO of Bel Brands USA, on Wednesday explained the major reasons for the plant's location in eastern South Dakota: access to well-priced milk and an ongoing effort to attract more dairies, a business-friendly environment in Brookings and the presence of agriculture degree graduates from South Dakota State University.
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