For many dairy processors, the need to spend millions of dollars to expand their facilities to support increasingly greater activity and/or launch new product lines is a good situation in which to be. 

Cacique LLC — a privately-owned Hispanic foods company that boasts the No. 1 brand of authentic Mexican-style cheeses, cremas and chorizos in the United States — said it officially broke ground on an $88 million dairy processing facility in Amarillo, Texas.

Ornua, Ireland’s largest premium dairy cooperative, announced a major expansion of its Ornua Ingredients North America division, with a $10 million investment upgrading its Hilbert, Wis., cheese ingredients operation.

Idaho Milk Products, Jerome, Idaho, said it celebrated the completion of a $30 million expansion and new R&D facility in Jerome with a ribbon-cutting on Sept. 20, 2019.

The facility produces whey protein concentrate.

The expansion increases milk-processing capacity and also includes a new research and development pilot plant.

The company will invest more than $15 million in an expansion that includes a refrigerated/freezer warehouse.

The company said the investment deepens its commitment to employees, local communities and the future of U.S. manufacturing.

Swiss Valley Farms, the dairy cooperative based in Davenport, Iowa, said today it will invest $20.6 million to expand its cheese manufacturing facility in the northeast Iowa town of Luana.