Exactly two years after first breaking ground on a $62 million expansion, The Michigan Milk Producers Association (MMPA) hosted an Open House on June 30 to showcase its newly renovated and expanded processing facility. The dairy manufacturing plant operates 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, taking in approximately 3.5 to 5 million pounds of milk each day. Sales from the Ovid plant were nearly $140 million in 2009.
“I am pleased to tell you today that without a doubt, we believe our investment here in Ovid is money well-spent,” said Ken Nobis, a dairy farmer from St. Johns and MMPA president as he addressed the attendees during a short program. “We continue to believe that the dairy industry – the No. 1 segment of the state’s agriculture industry – is one of the shining stars in our state’s economy. We are proud to be leaders in the Michigan dairy industry – an industry that provides nearly 6 billion dollars to our state’s economy. Investments like this plant expansion will keep Michigan Dairy farmers at the top of the nation’s dairy industry.”
The 14,000 square foot expansion and plant renovation projects have increased the Ovid plant’s capacity from 3 million pounds per day to more than 5 million pounds per day, improving throughput and efficiency and allowing MMPA and its dairy farmer members to remain competitive and viable in the marketplace. MMPA management worked closely with many local and state government agencies to ensure the expanded operation would meet strict environmental, employee health and food safety regulations.
According to a study completed by the MSU Product Center, the Ovid expansion project could have an economic impact of more than $183 million to the state of Michigan. They also estimate that there would be approximately 176 direct, indirect and induced employment opportunities created through the expansion project.
“Milk production in Michigan continues to grow at an impressive rate,” MMPA General Manager Clay Galarneau said. “Our members are proud of the investment that has been made here and they look forward to MMPA’s efforts to provide a market for their milk and a safe, wholesome and nutritious product for their customers.”
Products made at the Ovid facility include butter, nonfat dry milk, cream, condensed skim milk and specialty blends. These products are used by MMPA customers in various end products such as ice cream, yogurt, infant formula, pudding, cheese, baked goods, frozen dinners, candy bars and other confections.
—From MMPA news release
