Cayuga Milk Ingredients expands in New York

Cayuga Milk Ingredients (CMI), in collaboration with Tetra Pak, has opened its expanded facility in Auburn, Cayuga County as part of a two-phase, multimillion-dollar expansion and investment in New York State in the US. Cayuga Milk Ingredients (CMI) is a farmer-owned dairy processor located in the Finger Lakes in central New York, producing milk and dairy ingredients for global customers.

CMI produces 1.5 billion pounds of milk annually on 65,000 acres. The company is owned and operated by 22 farm families with 32 farm locations in the Finger Lakes region of New York State, with a dairy ingredients portfolio that includes milk powders, protein powders and fluid milk products. With the addition of its new consumer goods dairy plant, CMI is positioning itself as a vertically integrated, contract manufacturing solution for fast-growing, value-added dairy products, with a commitment to maximising the nutritional impact while minimising environmental impact.

The project adds to CMI’s existing footprint, with a 235,000 square foot consumer goods plant. Phase one is the expansion of the Eagle Drive facility, including the purchase and installation of UHT/aseptic low-acid packaging systems and new processing equipment. Phase two of the project includes the addition of machinery and equipment, and the expansion of the facility’s wastewater treatment plant. The project incorporates industry technologies, upgraded facilities and workforce development.

“Shelf-stable innovation continues to redefine what’s possible in food and beverage,” said Mat Rutz, VP of contract manufacturing for Tetra Pak US and Canada. “Working with companies like CMI to expand their portfolio by providing innovative processing and packaging solutions for their products is energising.”

Through this plant expansion, which was supported by incentives from the state, the companies are advancing shelf-stable packaging solutions that offer cost savings and production efficiencies, they say. CMI has already supported over 350 construction-related jobs during the development of the plant and plans to add an additional 150 new jobs once the facility opens in autumn 2025.

“The opening of our new consumer products facility marks a new chapter of possibilities, one where innovation, sustainability and responsible farming come together to shape the future of food,” said Brian Linney, CEO at CMI. “As one of the key players in New York’s significant dairy industry, we are excited to continually invest back in our county with a vertically integrated expansion that is sure to not only create meaningful opportunities for our local community but also drive economic benefits back to our state.