Penn Yan will add 50 new jobs

PENN YAN—The Emmi Roth Penn Yan dairy manufacturing plant will bring 50 new jobs to the village by expanding its yogurt production facility. Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo announced Tuesday, July 22, Emmi Roth USA, a producer of premium specialty cheeses and dairy products, is expanding its operations and retaining its workforce in Penn Yan and Orangeburg as part of a $11.6 million investment. Emmi Penn Yan will acquire production equipment and expand its existing structure in order to grow its market share in North America. Emmi Penn Yan is being offered $400,000 in tax benefits by the state in order to accomplish this investment. Currently, Emmi Roth’s Penn Yan production facility is located at 105 Horizon Business Park Drive (formerly the CASP dairy plant).
Emmi Penn Yan’s manufacturing facility produces Siggi’s brand yogurt, as well as bag-in-box milk and creamers for foodservice dispensers. The facility is currently at capacity.
“Emmi Roth continues to be our fastest growing manufacturer and we are elated that they are investing further in their Penn Yan facility,” Finger Lakes Economic Development Center (FLEDC) CEO Steve Griffin said. “Yates County has seen tremendous private sector growth and investment in the last few years and this is another great example of our continued success.”
 The company’s $11.6 million multi-year investment project, which includes hiring new talent in dairy production and attracting new investment focused on food processing, makes this project fall within the Finger Lakes Regional Economic Council’s (FLREDC) strategic plan.
“Emmi Roth USA recognizes the tremendous economic potential of locating and expanding in New York State and the Penn Yan area specifically,” village of Penn Yan Mayor Leigh MacKerchar said. “Job development is critical to the future well-being of our community.
New York State surpassed California in 2012 as the nation’s leader in yogurt production. The dairy industry is New York’s leading agricultural sector, accounting for more than half of the state’s total agricultural receipts. In 2013, New York State became the country’s third largest producer of milk. Compared to 2012, New York’s milk production increased by 2.2 percent in 2013, compared to 0.4 percent growth nationwide. This growth represents the fourth consecutive year New York has registered an increase in milk production. “Agriculture is a major source of economic activity in Upstate New York, and today’s announcement is another example of how the state is working to support the industry in order to create new opportunities for New Yorkers in the area,” Cuomo said. “The expansion of Emmi Roth USA in Penn Yan and Orangeburg will mean a stronger regional economy and further growth in the dairy industry.”
Emmi Roth USA, a subsidiary of Switzerland-based Emmi Group, is a leading provider of specialty cheeses. Emmi Group is the largest Swiss milk processor. In Switzerland, Emmi Group focuses on the development, production and marketing of a full range of dairy and fresh products, as well as the production, aging and trade of primarily Swiss, artisanal cheeses. Outside Switzerland, Emmi Group concentrates on brand concepts and specialties in European and North American markets.
“When we established our operations we certainly had choices, and making our choice to locate in Penn Yan has turned out to be a very positive one,” said Emmi Roth USA Chairman of the Board Matthias Kunz. “With the great workforce, access to quality dairy products as well as access to our markets, we are very happy to be in Yates County.”