Tillamook Cheese has completed a 65,000-square-foot expansion of its cheese-making facility at the Port of Morrow to process both lactose powder and a dried whey protein concentrate.
The East Oregonian newspaper (http://is.gd/LrbYQI ) reports the new plant added 40 jobs in Boardman and is expected to help Tillamook double its revenue off whey and lactose-based products.
Whey and lactose are natural byproducts of cheese production.
Whey protein has become an increasingly popular dietary supplement, especially for building muscle. Lactose extracted from whey can also be used in baby formula and other products.
Tillamook manager Chris Stirk tells the newspaper the company is getting into more products to improve the bottom line, but Tillamook is still a cheese company.
Source: KTVZ