Wisconsin cheese processors Dairyfood USA and Gilman Cheese Corp. announced that they will merge, creating an expanded product mix for their customers around the world.


Following the planned retirement of Dairyfood USA President and CEO Daniel Culligan, Gilman Cheese Corp. President David Delgado will oversee integration of the combined organization alongside the Dairyfood USA and Gilman management teams, the companies said. Dairyfood USA and Gilman currently employ 149 and 184 employees, respectively. Each company will retain its name.

"We are excited to partner with another Wisconsin cheese processor and provide additional products to customers, including the naturally smoked cheeses Dairyfood USA is known for,” Delgado  said. “There are also significant opportunities for innovation as worldwide demand for processed cheese continues to grow.”

Dairyfood USA operates out of a facility in Blue Mounds, located 25 miles west of Madison. Gilman Cheese Corp. is located about 190 miles northeast in the Village of Gilman.

“The future is extremely bright for Dairyfood USA and Gilman Cheese,” Culligan said. “Together the people, products and legacy of each company will make the Wisconsin cheese industry stronger and more competitive while providing our customers with additional opportunities.”