Hilmar Cheese Co. Cuts Ribbon on New Dodge City, Kansas, Plant
Hilmar Cheese Co. Inc., which manufactures cheese for private label, regional and national brands as well as various whey ingredients, has officially opened its new production facility in Dodge City, Kan., according to a release announcing the ribbon cutting.
The new facility produces American-style cheeses in commercial, 40-lb. blocks that are sold wholesale to customers and used in a variety of food products. It also produces a wide range of proteins for worldwide customers. The facility employs nearly 250 people and clocks in at more than $600 million worth of capital investment by the company.
Sustainability and conservation were a critical part of the plant’s design and the technology implemented. Water use is minimized without jeopardizing proper sanitation through advanced instrumentation and automated controls. Water is recycled and used to process protein, clean the facility and equipment, and also to reclaim heat. Sanitation also reuses rinse water, and spray nozzles have been upgraded to make cleaning more efficient.
Meanwhile, on the operations side, efficient pumps and equipment are expected to contribute to the water-conservation efforts, but also to help the facility lower its greenhouse gas (GHG) intensity. Dodge City’s efforts will help Hilmar contribute to the U.S. Dairy Stewardship Commitment to achieve a carbon neutral dairy industry by 2050.
For the company — which is based in Hilmar, Calif. — the Dodge City plant is the third manufacturing site, joining the hometown Hilmar facility and Dalhart, Texas, on the roster of facilities for the cheese manufacturer.
