Valio invests €70 million in Seinäjoki facility to enhance production capacity

Finnish food company Valio is investing approximately €70 million in its Seinäjoki facility. The modernization and renovation projects will include the construction of a new washing center for the powder plant, the refurbishment of the drying tower, and basic renovations of the processing facilities. In addition, a new regional laboratory building will be constructed on the Seinäjoki site. These investments are expected to enhance the factory’s production capacity, improve efficiency, and increase energy efficiency, with the investment period spanning from 2023 to 2026.

According to Jari Sivunen, the factory manager, these investments will secure the diverse production capabilities of the Seinäjoki factory for fresh products, fats, and industrial powders well into the future. Sivunen stated, “The investments strengthen Valio’s profitability and our ability to employ in the Seinäjoki area.” The new laboratory building is set to be completed by the end of the year. It will analyze the composition and quality of milk from each Valio farm.

The Seinäjoki site hosts three different plants: the powder plant, the fat plant, and the fresh product plant. Almost 60% of the factory’s output is exported, and it employs roughly 450 people in various roles. Sivunen describes the Seinäjoki facility as Valio’s flagship for exports, emphasizing the importance of modern laboratory facilities for quality control to meet the growing demands of customers. Seinäjoki produces a range of products, including butter, Oivariini spreads, cottage cheese, quark, and specialty milk powders aimed at international markets. Founded in 1905, Valio is a Finnish dairy company owned by 3,400 dairy farmers through its cooperative structure, with a revenue of €2.3 billion in 2023.