Glanbia Nutritionals: Focused on Southern Idaho
Two leaders detail Twin Falls company's close work with local farmers and investments in educational initiatives.
The dairy industry greatly contributes to the economy in Idaho and, more specifically, in Twin Falls, where Glanbia Nutritionals has two innovation centers located alongside its headquarters.
The region is also home to four of the company’s manufacturing plants in Twin Falls, Gooding, Richfield and Blackfoot, which employ more than 800 people.
Glanbia Nutritionals Marketing & Public Relations Coordinator Jayde Wilson, along with Gooding Plant Manager Sarah Morris, talk about how the company works with the community to support local farmers, invest in education initiatives and make Southern Idaho an even better place to live.
Jayde Wilson
Can you give a brief description of Glanbia Nutritionals?
Jayde: This is an Ireland-based company founded in 1997, and the first two plants in Idaho were established in 2004.
Our focus is to deliver better nutrition with a tagline “Built Around You,” and today Glanbia is the No. 1 producer of U.S. whey protein isolate, the No. 1 producer of American-style cheddar cheese and the No. 2 global supplier of micronutrient premixes.
Why is Glanbia so successful in Southern Idaho?
Sarah: It is because this region has such a strong dairy presence. We are able to harvest many nutrients and products from the milk, including cheese, whey proteins, calcium and lactoferrin. We even utilize lactoperoxidase that is used for makeup and anti-aging lotions.
Does the company work with local dairy farmers?
Jayde: We have many farmers and suppliers within 50 miles of our plants, and they deliver more than 180 truckloads of milk every day to our Gooding, Twin Falls and Blackfoot facilities.
Sarah Morris
Glanbia continues to grow, so what kind of careers can people pursue with the company?
Sarah: There are many careers, including in marketing, finance, human resources, warehousing, manufacturing operations, engineers, management positions, lab analysts, customer service, sales and much more.
Does the company partner with area colleges?
Sarah: We work with CSI (College of Southern Idaho) because they have a food processing technician program, and we also partner with the University of Idaho and Idaho State University.
Glanbia recruits many university and community college students because these schools have a variety of top food-industry programs.
How does Glanbia give back to the community?
Jayde: Over the past 30 years, the company has hosted an annual Glanbia Charity Challenge golf tournament that has resulted in more than $3 million contributed to charitable organizations in Southern Idaho. The donation recipients include food banks, senior centers, animal shelters and schools.
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