Denver-based Leprino Foods Co. is continuing its international expansion by adding a Singapore business center.
Privately owned Leprino said Wednesday that it has opened the new facility, which includes an “innovation studio” designed to create cheese and other dairy products for the Asia-Pacific market.
Leprino spokesman Ted Wie techa said the company’s international sales have more than doubled during the past two years, with the Asia-Pacific market playing a “significant role” in the expansion. The sales are driven by increased cheese consumption and demand for whey and lactose, used in confections and protein drinks, he said.
Leprino’s chefs at the innovation studio will work with customers — including U.S. and European restaurants in the Asia-Pacific market — to create products that appeal to the “tastes and choices” of the region.
Kevin Burke, Leprino’s senior vice president for global business development, said the firm will be in the region “long term.”
“We’re deeply committed to helping our customers in the region win in the marketplace,” Burke said. “Our investment in Asia will continue and increase over time.”
The Leprino business center is in Singapore’s International Business Park and will house sales, field-support, customer-service and business-development personnel.
In addition to the Singapore expansion, the company is growing closer to home as well.
Leprino will open the first phase of its 500,000-square-foot plant near Greeley in November, Wie techa said.
The first phase of the Greeley plant will process 1 million pounds of milk a day, which will be converted to nonfat dry milk and sent to other plants. When finished, it will produce 700,000 pounds of cheese daily and employ 500.
Leprino does not release its financials, but industry analysts last year estimated its annual revenue at $2.2 billion to $3 billion.
