Brattleboro, Vermont-based Commonwealth Dairy LLC plans to begin building a new, 39,000-square-foot yogurt manufacturing facility within the next two to three weeks in Brattleboro. The facility will meet LEED specifications and incorporate renewable energy sources. The construction represents a $32 million investment.
Commonwealth manufactures yogurt for private-label brands and co-pack arrangements, along with its own brands. The products are sold in regional markets. The new plant will be able to accept up to 50 million pounds of milk annually from the open market and segregated milk streams.
The factory is expected to be fully operational no later than early 2011. The entire yogurt market is valued at $4 billion in annual sales, and private-label and in-store brands account for up to 13 percent of revenues.
