Hilmar Cheese Company is 2009 Employer of Excellence
December 14, 2009
Employees Earn Panhandle Recognition
DALHART, TX. December 14, 2009. Crediting the hard work of their employees, Hilmar Cheese Company received the Panhandle Workforce Development Board’s 2009 Employer of Excellence Award.
“We are honored to receive this award, which recognizes the efforts of our 180 employees,” said David Ahlem, Dalhart site manager. “Two years ago we started with local people who were willing to learn about cheese and whey manufacturing, and together we have created a culture of teamwork and success.”
One of Hilmar Cheese Company’s core values is that people are the “most valuable resource.” “You can buy the best equipment in the world, but without quality people to operate the equipment, you won’t be successful – and, we have the best employees,” continued Ahlem.
Hilmar Cheese Company started producing cheese in Dalhart in September 2007. Building on its success, the facility is currently expanding and will need an additional fifty employees during 2011.
“We have been welcomed to Texas and worked with many different organizations as we established our business in Dalhart,” Ahlem mentioned. “Thank you to everyone who has helped us and especially to the Board and its Dalhart Workforce Solutions Office for their assistance and for this award.”
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Founded in 1984 by twelve Central California dairy families who owned Jersey cows, Hilmar Cheese Company has grown to include a second manufacturing site in Dalhart, Texas. Hilmar Ingredients, created in 2004, is the company’s whey protein and lactose products division. Still privately held, the total organization employs almost 1,000. Celebrating its 25th anniversary this year, Hilmar Cheese Company is committed to continuous improvement and innovation. The Company’s mission is to produce high quality products within a framework of environmental sustainability. In addition to caring for its customers and the environment, Hilmar Cheese Company is committed to improving the communities in which it operates through support for education, community activities and food bank programs.