California Dairies, Inc. has opened a new beverage manufacturing facility in Bakersfield, California. The company, which is the largest dairy farmer-owned cooperative in California, invested in the 200,000 square-foot greenfield facility to meet growing demand for fluid milk products and has created 90 new full-time jobs. 

The facility, named Valley Natural Beverages (VNB), sits on land that will allow for future expansion to 400,000 square feet. It will begin by processing an estimated 116,000 gallons of locally sourced milk each day. The plant features robotics, energy-efficient systems, and incorporates renewable energy sources and waste conservation measures to support environmental sustainability. 

VNB will open with three processing lines dedicated to conventional extended shelf life (ESL) and ultra-high temperature (UHT) dairy beverages. A multi-phase expansion is planned, which will grow capacity to 10–12 production lines and enable the facility to process up to 600,000 gallons per day. 

What people are saying 

In a recent quote, Brad Anderson, president and chief executive officer, California Dairies, Inc., said, “We are thrilled to officially open this cutting-edge facility. This investment underscores our commitment to innovation and sustainability. The new plant will allow us to increase production capacity, expand our product offerings, improve efficiency, and create next-generation jobs for the local community.” 

Lieutenant Governor Eleni Kounalakis, added, “This facility is a testament to the innovation and resilience of California’s dairy farmers. It represents a bold investment in the future of agriculture – one that supports sustainability, strengthens our rural economy, and showcases the world-class leadership of California’s dairy industry.” 

Manufacturers investing in California 

Pacific Steel begins construction on steel manufacturing mill in California
The 500,000-square-foot Mojave Micro Mill marks the first steel mill to be built in California in over 50 years.

Siemens invests $95M to expand low-voltage electrical products manufacturing facility in California
The new 100,000-square-foot facility will increase production of critical electrical products for the industrial, commercial, and construction sectors.

ZM Trucks to open its first U.S. automotive manufacturing facility in California
The 210,000-square-foot factory will support the production of a diverse portfolio of zero-emission products.

Investing in American manufacturing in 2025 

This map shows where manufacturers are choosing to invest their resources, whether they are building new production facilities or expanding existing plants.