With no formal groundbreaking ceremony slated, Hilmar Cheese Company has already begun moving dirt at its newest location in the Turlock Regional Industrial Park in preparation for its new milk processing facility.

"We are expanding our ingredients business to meet strong global demand for milk powders,” said John Jeter, Hilmar Cheese Company CEO and president earlier this year when the project was announced. “The U.S. dairy industry, and specifically California, is well positioned to be a consistent supplier to the world."

The manufacturing process at the Turlock facility will use the most technologically-advanced equipment to capture the water in milk for reuse to conserve precious ground water, according to Hilmar Cheese. Water will be recycled, reused and passed through a preliminary treatment before going to the Turlock Regional Water Quality Control facility. The construction will also add economic stimulus to the area with builders, contractors and others benefiting from the project, including local dairy farmers.

“This investment will provide the family dairy farms that supply us milk the opportunity to grow. It allows us to develop new relationships with dairy farmers who produce high quality milk in this region,” commented Richard Clauss, founding owner and chairman of the board of directors in March. “This project will help strengthen the California dairy industry and provide a nutritious product to serve customer needs.”

Opting for the Turlock location due to its ready for construction status and location that is “excellent for export opportunities through the Port of Oakland,” according to the company’s Director of Education and Public Relations Denise Skidmore, the new facility is slated to open in late 2015 and hire 40 new positions.

“We are looking forward to bringing new jobs to Turlock and continuing the tradition of converting our high quality milk supply into the value-added products customers want,” said David Ahlem, Hilmar Cheese Company chief operating officer.

Jobs will range from technical positions to supporting roles and with hiring set to begin in 2015, locals will be able to access position requirements and information on the company’s website, www.hilmarcheese.com.