Cheese Merchants Makes the Move into a Bigger and Better Facility
Barlett, IL (PRWEB) June 23, 2014 -- To better serve customers and in response to increased demand, Cheese Merchants of America announces that it has moved into a significantly larger facility in Bartlett, IL.
Located approximately eight miles west of its plant in Carol Stream, the new facility is more than two and a half times larger at 277,000 square feet (versus 105,000 square feet).
Cheese Merchants of America (CMA) completed the move on its scheduled date of June 1, which concluded after a year of planning followed by a year of construction. "The move into this new facility sets the stage for us to expand our cheese processing operation and more efficiently and effectively serve customers," said Jim Smart, Vice President of Sales.
The new facility allows CMA to immediately double its capacity from processing 60 million pounds annually to more than 120 million pounds. And in anticipation of future growth, the production capacity can double again, maxing out at 240 million pounds a year.
The increased capabilities are a direct result of CMA's sizable investment in the facility, as the company installed: Two more grating lines, another shredding line, an additional canister filling line, two more cheese dryers, as well as tripling its packaging area.
As a result, customers will immediately benefit from less lead time on cheese orders, and faster turnaround due to the expanded shipping area. In addition, CMA was able to completely streamline its manufacturing operation, creating numerous efficiencies that will greatly benefit customers.
One of its most important priorities was to ensure every piece of cheese - from raw materials to shipped product - was maintained under its quality control systems. This includes:
1. Raw material storage is now consolidated under one roof from warehouses across the country.
2. All cheese is 100 percent refrigerated through the entire production process.
3. All cheese is aged in house.
4. There's much greater flexibility in the packaging lines, as CMA can handle 8 ounce packages to 50 pound bulk packs - and anything in between.
5. In terms of new technology investment, CMA automated the entire back-end with robotics and palletizers, and added a new sealing system.
"We are just thrilled to have moved into such a spectacular facility," said Smart. "And we're excited to be able to take full advantage of new technology and expanded capabilities to ensure our customers receive the highest quality cheese products - both on time and in the exact quantities they ordered."
Founded in 1997, Cheese Merchants of America is one of the nation’s leading further processed cheese suppliers to the foodservice, industrial and retail industries. Strategically located outside of Chicago, CMA’s new 277,000 sq. ft. plant and warehouse deliver hard and soft cheeses grated, shredded, shaved and dehydrated. The advanced-technology facility provides Cheese Merchants with the flexibility to age, process and package cheeses in a variety of sizes and formats. By focusing on consistently-sourced imports that are processed in a single-source domestic plant, CMA takes great pride in offering the same high quality, consistent cheese every time. For more information about the company and its products, visit http://www.cheesemerchants.com.
Cheese Merchants of America … True to our Name. True to our Customers.
Edward Zimmerman, Cheese Merchants of America, http://www.cheesemerchants.com/, +1 (415) 785-8539, [email protected]
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