Consultants Forum Advertise
Subscribe
Close

  • Free for qualified executives and consultants to industry

  • Receive quarterly issues of Area Development Magazine and special market report and directory issues

Subscribe Now
Renew

Area Development - Site Selection, Facility Planning and Workforce Development

Lactalis USA Upgrades Walton-Buffalo, New York, Production Operations

07/18/2025
Lactalis USA, a subsidiary of global dairy company Lactalis Group, plans to upgrade its operations in Walton and Buffalo, New York. The more than $75 million project is expected to create approximately 50 jobs.

The investment at the company’s Walton facility will focus on automating and expanding the cottage cheese and sour cream production lines. The investment at the Buffalo operation will include the installation of six 50,000-pound vats, an advanced cheese belt, separators, silos, and a robotic palletizer.

“Lactalis has two plants in New York State that are key to our growing business in the United States,” said Lactalis USA CEO Esteve Torrens. “Our Buffalo plant is home to a significant ricotta and mozzarella production under the Galbani brand. Our Walton plant continues a rich tradition since 1882 of producing Breakstone’s Sour Cream and is essential to strengthening our cottage cheese business in a rapidly growing category. We are committed to supporting the communities of Buffalo and Walton as we continue to grow in those markets and we thank Gov. Hochul and ESD for their support.”

To support the project Empire State Development (ESD) is offering $750,000 in Excelsior Jobs Program tax credits for the Walton project (which is in an economically distressed community) and $550,000 in tax credits for the Buffalo project in exchange for Lactalis’ job retention and creation commitments.

“The direct impact of Lactalis remaining and growing in Walton and Buffalo is hundreds of cheese manufacturing jobs but indirectly the plant also supports area dairy farmers by purchasing more than $180 million worth of milk each year, making the projects a win for both the manufacturing and agricultural sectors,” noted Empire State Development President, CEO & Commissioner Hope Knight.

Lactalis USA’s portfolio of brands include Président®, Galbani®, Kraft®, Breakstone's®, Cracker Barrel®, Black Diamond®, Parmalat®, Siggi's®, and Stonyfield Organic®.

Exclusive Research