PepsiCo and a leading German dairy company announced they will open their first U.S. yogurt-producing facility at a business park in Batavia, New York. The joint venture, called "Project Wave," is the latest announcement in what has become a burgeoning yogurt industry in New York.
The Purchase, Westchester County-based PepsiCo and Theo Muller Gmbh, Germany's largest privately owned dairy business, will invest $206 million and create 186 new jobs at the new facility at the Genesee Valley Agri-Business Park. The joint venture is called Wave LLC.
"This project demonstrates that leading international companies like PepsiCo and Muller see New York as a premier place to invest and the natural choice for their first venture into the yogurt business," Gov. Andrew Cuomo said in a statement announcing the deal.
The state is providing about $13 million in tax breaks through state agencies for the deal, as well as a $1 million grant from the state's Homes & Community Renewal program. Genesee County will provide $12 million in tax breaks.
Cuomo's office said the project would be developed over two years, but the company may begin importing Muller products quickly to capitalize on the rapidly growing yogurt market, particularly Greek yogurt.
Pepsi said it was too early to say what types of yogurt would be made. PD
—From www.stargazette.com
