Chobani, America's #1 Greek yogurt brand, announced today a major expansion to its manufacturing facility in Twin Falls, Idaho, which will be used to drive continued growth in the region, the state and the community and expand production capability to meet demand for new and existing products.
“Building the largest yogurt manufacturing plant in the world and expanding it three years later is a really proud moment for us and an example of how right it was to pick Idaho as our second home,” said Hamdi Ulukaya, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Chobani. “Our success in Idaho and New York is an example of the power and strength of U.S. manufacturing. To food companies like ours, it’s a signal of the momentum of the food movement that we started: better food for more people.”
According to Twin Falls City Manager Travis Rothweiler, this significant expansion announcement in less than four years of operation points to Chobani’s continued confidence in Twin Falls’ ability to support the region’s growing food sector. “We’re thrilled that Chobani continues to grow its roots in Twin Falls,” Rothweiler said. “This expansion includes new lines for new products and Chobani’s global research and development facility. Twin Falls is excited to be a part of the region’s expanding food production, processing and science sectors,” he said.
Chobani has hired nearly 100 Twin Falls employees in the past six months, bringing the head count to more than 1,000.
Southern Idaho has been selected by the U.S. Department of Commerce as a top U.S. manufacturing community in the food category by the U.S. Commerce Department thanks to the region’s extensive food sector. Southern Idaho is the smallest region to receive this federal food manufacturing designation. Southern Idaho ranks in the top third in the nation for both the number of companies and employees working in food manufacturing. Chobani’s expansion announcement reaffirms southern Idaho as a top manufacturing community and “All Things Food” brand.
Chobani commissioned its second domestic manufacturing facility in Twin Falls in 2013, making it the largest yogurt manufacturing facility in the world. The company had previously invested more than $450 million to build the one million square foot, world-class operation. The initial construction was completed in an unprecedented 326 days, with more than 2,000 men and women who put in more than 1.7 million man hours to build the state-of-the-art facility from the ground up.
Chobani's presence in Idaho has served as a catalyst for new jobs and continues to have a significant positive economic impact in the region. Since its arrival, unemployment has reached record-low levels and major businesses from across the country have moved to the region.
“The kind of success that Chobani is experiencing in the Magic Valley is setting a great example of regional collaboration between employers and community leaders throughout Idaho,” said Governor C.L. "Butch" Otter. “And it has economic development leaders all over America standing up and taking notice of what Idaho has to offer. That's all above and beyond the on-the-ground benefits that Chobani's growth and proactive corporate citizenship are providing for our citizens and Idaho's economy. I'm proud that Chobani chose Idaho and is helping us set a golden example of what it means to accelerate Idaho by moving at the speed of business."
Chobani currently receives up to four million pounds of fresh milk from local farms in New York and Idaho every day and employs more than 2,000 people. For every hire Chobani makes, it is estimated that up to 10 jobs are created in its communities.
About Southern Idaho Economic Development Organization
The Southern Idaho Economic Development Organization (SIEDO) is a joint venture of public and private sectors formed to help diversify and strengthen the regional economy by retaining and attracting business in the communities of Twin Falls, Jerome, Kimberly, Filer, Gooding, Glenns Ferry, Burley, Heyburn, Paul, and Rupert. www.southernidaho.org
Located along the Snake River, Southern Idaho’s communities are located 120 miles southeast of Boise, Idaho’s state capital, and 220 miles northwest of Salt Lake City.