Construction begins on new Rumiano Cheese plant in Willows
WILLOWS » Construction has begun on a new cheese processing and packaging plant for Rumiano Cheese in Willows, allowing for a dramatic increase in production.
The 46,766-square-foot plant, at 101 Harvest Drive and Highway 99W, is a short distance from its existing plant on County Road E.
The new plant will be located on four acres in the city’s commercial industrial park, which is east of Interstate 5.
Operations at the new facility are expected to commence in the second quarter of 2021. The facility will run on solar energy generated on site.
The existing plant is west of I-5, off County Road E, but will still be part of the cheese-making business.
What the new facility means to the historic cheese operation is a doubling of its current packaging volume by the end of 2025 in an effort to keep up with the artisanal cheese demand.
According to third-generation co-owner and vice president John Rumiano, the new facility will help the company increase its processing and distribution capacity, and will allow it to introduce additional products. New retail products will include shredded cheese as well as snack cheese.
“The expansion also bolsters Rumiano’s ability to scale its cutting and packaging business for other West Coast cheesemakers and its Board at Home line,” Rumiano said in a statement.
Helping the facility become a reality is a $1.8 million economic development grant from the city of Willows, along with private funding.
Cheese production occurs at the company’s Crescent City plant, which will continue operations, while the processing and packaging occur in Willows. Between the two plants, the company employs more than 200, with about 150 in Willows and more expected to be hired as the new facility advances.
The County Road E site will be renovated and transition into cheese aging and storage, along with “smallbatch, value-added processing,” Rumiano said. A new space for research and development is planned as well.
Celebrating its 101th year, the family- owned company, is considered a pioneer in organic and artisanal cheesemaking, and occupies a strong niche in
the growing artisan cheese industry. Earlier this year, it introduced the Board at Home, a cheese and charcuterie board with sides such as dried fruit, crackers, sweets and wine for home or business delivery
throughout the country.
It has also highlighted its online ordering and gourmet gift boxes, although still counts retail sales at food stores as a resource.
Rumiano CEO Joe Baird noted, “Our new facility
along with equipment upgrades and cutting edge technology is going to provide a footprint for growth for years to come.”
Employees will also have an opportunity for further career development and advancement, Baird added in a statement.
The new facility was designed by Russell Gallaway Associates of Chico, and is being constructed by general contractors Slater and Son of Chico.