CAMPBELL, N.Y.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The Kraft Heinz Company (NASDAQ: KHC) and Upstate Niagara Cooperative announced today that they have signed an agreement by which Upstate Niagara will purchase the Kraft Heinz cheese plant located in Campbell, N.Y. Closing of the deal is expected to be completed within the next 30 to 60 days.
“We’re thrilled to announce that Upstate Niagara Cooperative has agreed to purchase our Campbell dairy facility and has signed a long-term co-packing agreement with Kraft Heinz,” said Michael Mullen, SVP of Corporate & Government Affairs at The Kraft Heinz Company. “This deal guarantees that at least 125 jobs will remain in Campbell with anticipated growth to 150 within a year, during which our business customers will experience zero disruption in the service of our dairy products. As part of our commitment to this transaction, Kraft Heinz has pledged an ongoing investment of $3 to 5 million to improve and maintain the Campbell facility.”
“We look forward to adding the Campbell cheese facility to our organization in the coming weeks,” stated Larry Webster, CEO of Upstate Niagara Cooperative. “As a dairy cooperative owned by farm families throughout the region, this acquisition is an investment by our member owners towards continued and long-term growth for our cooperative and the Campbell facility. We are proud to be able to keep manufacturing jobs within the community while offering additional products and manufacturing capabilities to our customers.”
Both Mr. Mullen of Kraft Heinz and Mr. Webster of Upstate Niagara wished to add, “Our sincerest thanks go to New York Governor Andrew Cuomo, to U.S. Senator Chuck Schumer, and to all Federal, State, and Local government representatives who are helping to secure the long-term prosperity of this facility and the hardworking men and women of Campbell, New York.”
About Upstate Niagara Cooperative
Upstate Niagara Cooperative, Inc. is a farmer-owned cooperative of 360 dairy farms throughout Western New York dedicated to producing, manufacturing and distributing high-quality, fresh and delicious dairy products. Our farmers take pride in our organization and work hard every day to provide the best-tasting dairy products marketed under the Upstate Farms®, Bison®, Intense Milk®, and Valley Farms® brands along with our partners’ brands. We are committed to a cleaner planet, stronger community and brighter future for families through food science innovation, state-of-the-art manufacturing and technology, animal well-being and sustainable farming. For more information, visit www.UpstateNiagara.com.
About Kraft Heinz
The Kraft Heinz Company (NASDAQ: KHC) is the fifth-largest food and beverage company in the world. A globally trusted producer of delicious foods, The Kraft Heinz Company provides high quality, great taste and nutrition for all eating occasions whether at home, in restaurants or on the go. The Company’s iconic brands include Kraft, Heinz, ABC, Capri Sun, Classico, Jell-O, Kool-Aid, Lunchables, Maxwell House, Ore-Ida, Oscar Mayer, Philadelphia, Planters, Plasmon, Quero, Weight Watchers Smart Ones and Velveeta. The Kraft Heinz Company is dedicated to the sustainable health of our people, our planet and our Company. For more information, visit www.kraftheinzcompany.com.
