Chobani, the leading U.S. Greek yogurt brand, broke ground on April 22, 2025, for a $1.2 billion, 1.4 million-square-foot manufacturing facility in Rome, Oneida County, New York, at Griffiss Business and Technology Park. Announced by Governor Kathy Hochul as the largest natural food manufacturing investment in U.S. history, the plant will produce over 1 billion pounds of dairy products annually, including yogurt, oat milk, and creamers, processing 12 million pounds of milk daily with up to 28 production lines. The project, supported by $73 million in Excelsior Jobs Program tax credits and $23 million from New York’s FAST NY program, will create over 1,000 full-time jobs with a $20/hour minimum wage, nearly doubling Chobani’s New York workforce of 1,100. The facility, set for completion by late 2026, will purchase an estimated 6 billion pounds of raw milk yearly from New York’s 3,000 dairy farms, up from 1 billion, reinforcing the state’s position as the nation’s top yogurt producer. Founder and CEO Hamdi Ulukaya emphasized the plant’s role in building an “ecosystem of natural food production,” partnering with local farmers, colleges, and underserved communities for workforce training. The announcement follows Chobani’s $500 million Idaho expansion, reflecting its 17% sales growth to $2.96 billion in 2024.

For the precision machining industry, Chobani’s facility underscores the critical role of aseptic processing in natural food production. The plant’s high-capacity production lines require precision-machined components, such as stainless steel valves and pump rotors, crafted with 5-axis CNC milling and laser cutting to achieve sub-micron tolerances for sterile, high-speed processing. Aseptic systems demand custom fixtures and robotic arms, fabricated using EDM and real-time quality control to ensure contamination-free output. This investment drives demand for local machine shops to supply Industry 4.0-enabled tooling, fostering innovation in corrosion-resistant alloys and additive manufacturing for food-grade equipment. As part of a $50 billion food manufacturing market, the project creates opportunities for suppliers in New York, where manufacturing jobs grew 2% since 2022, strengthening supply chains amid tariff-driven reshoring pressures.

Source:

Chobani Press Release, April 22, 2025

Source:

Food Engineering

Social Media Buzz (powered by X):

X is buzzing with Chobani’s $1.2 billion Rome investment, with posts on May 4, 2025, calling it a “game-changer” for New York. Users praised the 1,000+ jobs, with one noting “support for dairy farmers is huge,” while another tied it to “reshoring under Trump’s tariffs.” The excitement reflects optimism for economic growth and food innovation.

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