Saputo announces capital investments and consolidation initiatives to streamline its manufacturing footprint in the U.S.
The company plans to invest $45 million to convert its long-standing mozzarella cheese manufacturing facility in Reedsburg, Wis., to a goat cheese manufacturing plant.
The current cheese manufacturing from this facility will be transferred to other existing Saputo facilities in the U.S.
Saputo also plans to close its existing goat cheese manufacturing facility in Belmont, Wis. Approximately 200 employees will be impacted. The company plans to provide them with with financial support including severance. These initiatives will begin in the second quarter of fiscal 2023 and are expected to take up to 18 months to implement.
“The latest series of investments and consolidation activities will strengthen the competitiveness and long-term performance of our cheese operations in our U.S.A. sector, while increasing efficiency and productivity,” said Lino A. Saputo, CEO. “The initiatives we are announcing will allow us to enhance our manufacturing footprint and drive organic growth. We have been increasingly focused on accelerating our global strategic plan initiatives, identifying new opportunities to streamline the operating model and further improve our cost structure.”
The capital investments and consolidation initiatives outlined above are expected to result in annual savings and benefits gradually, beginning in fiscal 2024, and reaching approximately $9 million by fiscal 2025.
