The move will keep 125 jobs at the facility.
According to media reports, Upstate Niagara Cooperative, a farmer-owned cooperative of 360 dairy farms throughout western New York, has agreed to acquire the Campbell cheese plant of The Kraft Heinz Co.
“We’re thrilled to announce that Upstate Niagara Cooperative has agreed to purchase our Campbell dairy facility and has signed a long-term co-packing agreement with Kraft Heinz,” said Michael Mullen, senior vice-president of corporate and government affairs at Kraft Heinz. “This deal guarantees that at least 125 jobs will remain in Campbell with anticipated growth to 150 within a year, during which our business customers will experience zero disruption in the service of our dairy products. As part of our commitment to this transaction, Kraft Heinz has pledged an ongoing investment of $3 million to $5 million to improve and maintain the Campbell facility.”
“We look forward to adding the Campbell cheese facility to our organization in the coming weeks,” stated Larry Webster, CEO of Upstate Niagara Cooperative. “As a dairy cooperative owned by farm families throughout the region, this acquisition is an investment by our member owners towards continued and long-term growth for our cooperative and the Campbell facility. We are proud to be able to keep manufacturing jobs within the community while offering additional products and manufacturing capabilities to our customers.”
Both Mr. Mullen of Kraft Heinz and Mr. Webster of Upstate Niagara wished to add, “Our sincerest thanks go to New York Governor Andrew Cuomo, to U.S. Senator Chuck Schumer, and to all Federal, State, and Local government representatives who are helping to secure the long-term prosperity of this facility and the hardworking men and women of Campbell, New York.”
