Fairlife CEO Becca Kerr joined Gov. Kathy Hochul and others Thursday for a ceremonial ribbon cutting at the company’s milk processing plant in Webster.
“This is a $650 million investment, one of the largest capital investments in the history of the Coca-Cola Company,” Kerr said.
Hiring is said to be ahead of schedule, with Kerr telling those gathered that fairlife has “created approximately 380 full-time jobs in the region.”
The company was unable to provide details about plant operations and did not make company officials available to reporters at the event. Plans were to be running full shifts, 24 hours a day, with all three lines operating the second half of this year.
Kerr led off Thursday’s event, which was billed as a soft opening.
“Demand for our products has never been higher,” Kerr said, “and we intend to meet it. Webster is a key part of how we're going to meet that demand for years to come.”
The plant has interior spaces that are not built out, waiting for expansion. Kerr hinted at that, saying “while today is a big day, it's really just one step in our Webster journey.” Fairlife did not immediately respond to questions about the timeline for expanding into the remaining space.
“I'm going to let you try it out, get it right,” Hochul told Kerr, referring to the plant and production line testing that began months ago, “because this is the next place for your expansion. And we'll be ready for it, with the town and the county and the state as your best friends.”
