by Kristina Gabalski
Alpina Foods opens in Batavia.“I’m so excited I can hardly stand it,” Congresswoman Kathy Hochul said as she addressed the crowd gathered to celebrate the grand opening of Alpina Foods first U.S. yogurt plant in Batavia, Monday, September 24.
Hochul lightheartedly declared Batavia “the Greek yogurt capital of the country” and said she was thrilled that Alpina, “believes in us the way we believe in ourselves.”
She also told top Alpina officials Batavia is in the midst of the New York “fruit belt” and they should consider supporting local fruit growers as well as dairy farmers by buying locally grown fruit for their products.
Alpina Foods opens Batavia yogurt manufacturing facility — (shown left to right) Juan Pablo Fernandez, GM, Alpina Foods; Julian Jaramillo, CEO, Alpina; Roger Parkhurst, Director of Operations, Alpina Foods; Congresswoman Kathy Hochul; State Senator Michael Ranzenhofer; Kenneth Adams, President & CEO, Empire State Development. “We are committed to our success in Batavia and the U.S.,” said Alpina CEO Julian Jaramillo at the official opening of the new facility on September 24. “It is our corporate practice to grow with our surroundings, hand-in-hand with our neighbors.”The $18 million, 40,000 square foot plant is located on Route 5 east of the City of Batavia in the Genesee Valley Agri-Business Park. Officials say the plant will create 50 jobs.
Alpina is based in Columbia and was established in 1945 by two Swiss entrepreneurs who brought their families’ traditions and cultural expertise to South America.
The company markets a wide range of artisan dairy products to the American Hispanic market, as well as mainstream brands Alpina Restart yogurt, Alpina Revive Greek yogurt and Alpina Renew oat smoothies.
Company officials promised they would make their products more widely available locally, beginning in Batavia.
Alpina CEO Julian Jaramillo called the grand opening a great day. “We are glad to be part of a new beginning for New York State,” he said.
Jaramillo said Alpina had been “searching and searching” for a location to build their plant. “This was the correct choice,” he said of Batavia, noting the closeness to important markets, the local dairy industry, and the valuable talent and know-how of the local workforce.
Alpina Foods General Manager Juan Pablo Fernandez said he is “delighted to know this is the place we will be.”
He said Alpina was looking at European markets but opportunity brought them to Batavia.
Fernandez said other draws included the local market and economy and, “your spirit.”
New York State Senator Mike Ranzenhofer commended local officials for their “vision to have an Ag park.” He also thanked Alpina for locating their plant in Batavia. “This is the start of a great relationship,” he said, “a great marriage between Alpina and the people of Genesee County.”
Ken Adams, President and CEO of Empire State Development, spoke on behalf of Governor Andrew Cuomo. He said there are already 30 employees on board at the plant and noted “New York State has benefited from the yogurt boom.”
Adams said the number of yogurt plants in the state has jumped from 14 to 29 since 2000 and between 2005 and 2011, New York yogurt plants doubled their production.
Governor Cuomo has an “ongoing commitment to support the growth of milk production,” Adams said and added that regulatory reforms are in the works.
He told Alpina officials that the commitment from the state continues. “We are here for you to help you grow and prosper in New York State,” he said.
