Brian Berk

Dairy Foods in July had the opportunity to visit Ireland and several of its dairy processors, thanks to an invitation from Bord Bia, the Irish Dairy Board. 

Sales in several dairy alternative subcategories soured for the 52-week period ending June 16, according to new data provided by Chicago-based market research firm Circana. 

How do we determine what a great plant is? Is it an exciting design? New technologies or automation? Sustainability efforts? Perhaps, it is a processor that continues to process, as well as protect a decades-long family recipe.

There are a lot of things HP Hood LLC’s Batavia, N.Y., plant could be honored for this year, including the many bells and whistles featured at the 458,000-square-foot plant.

Although not often covered in the pages of trade magazines, an important topic dairy processors can look at — especially smaller operations — is succession planning. 

Dairy Foods has visited many plants over the years, but few match the size of Westrock Coffee Co.’s facility, opened earlier this year. 

Welcome to the Dairy Top 100, Dairy Foods’ industry-leading list of the Top 100 dairy companies/dairy processors in North America.

Welcome to the Dairy Top 100, Dairy Foods’ industry-leading list of the Top 100 dairy companies/dairy processors in the United States.

Although some may not consider its sales gains gangbusters, the butter and creamer dairy subcategories are led by refrigerated butters and refrigerated coffee creamers, according to Chicago-based market research firm Circana.

In June, I traveled to Houston to attend the International Dairy, Deli and Bakery Association (IDDBA) show. Of course, dairy is only part of that equation, but I believe several insights shared during the annual conference could be interesting for dairy processors.