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Chobani expansion to boost Michigan dairy demand 20-fold for La Colombe milk lattes

Chobani is investing more than half a billion dollars to increase production capacity of its La Colombe milk lattes in West Michigan.

Chobani founder Hamdi Ulukaya tells Brownfield having a strong supply of fresh milk and dedicated workforce helped the company make the $567 million commitment.

“Easily, the companies will look at infrastructure and say, it’s not going to work for us,” he says. “There’s some advisor will say, the pipes are not large enough, the wastewater is not big enough, or they’re old, the resources are not good. Our thing is, okay, those are the ones that are missing. What are the things that are here that are really more valuable?”

More than $64.5 million is also being invested in Muskegon County’s wastewater system to support the expansion in Norton Shores.

Governor Gretchen Whitmer joined officials for the groundbreaking ceremony Tuesday. “Increasing demand for La Colombe’s products means stability for our dairy farmers and, of course, the strength of our agricultural industry,” she emphasized.

Dairy Farmers of America’s JP Koop with Lucky 7 Dairy in McBain tells Brownfield he’s excited for the opportunities the multi-phased build-out will bring. “It’s huge, it’s huge!” he shares. “Especially an expansion like this, it provides us opportunities to expand our business, to expand our farm operation, and keep our costs down because we don’t have to truck milk to other states, which is hugely expensive.”

Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development Director Tim Boring says the project is a reflection of where the state’s ag industry is headed. “This is a big economic project for Michigan agriculture, but more importantly, I think it speaks to the fact that companies across the United States see optimism and hopefulness in Michigan agriculture,” he tells Brownfield.

Chobani expects to grow its demand for raw milk more than twentyfold to more than 615 million pounds to support the plant over time.

Participants at the event also packed a mobile food trailer for more than 500 families in the community as part of Chobani’s partnership with No Kid Hungry and commitment to fight childhood hunger.