JCS Process & Control Systems Awarded Contract for California Dairies' New Milk Processing Plant

JCS Process & Control Systems, a specialist in beverage batching and processing technologies, has been awarded a contract by California Dairies, Inc. (CDI)—the largest California farmer-owned dairy cooperative and second largest in the United States—to support the total process design, engineering, fabrication, installation, and commissioning of a new 200,000-square foot milk processing plant (phase 1) in Bakersfield, California.

“This is an amazing opportunity to partner with one of the country’s finest dairy cooperatives and help them significantly grow their business,” said Greg Frechette, president of JCS Process & Control Systems. “We appreciate CDI’s confidence in our ability to design, engineer, and, ultimately, implement JCS processing technologies into what may well be one of the most innovative, most versatile dairy production facilities in the world.”

Specifically, JCS will engineer the integration of the new facility’s entire processing and production supply chain from ingredient receiving, storage, milk separation, batching, blending, variable processing, and supporting utility systems.

CDI’s state-of-the-art facility will process Kern County-produced milk into innovative dairy products, including extended shelf life and shelf-stable fluid milk – products that continue to increase in demand across the globe.

Bill McIlhargey, an expert in beverage batching and processing technologies, will lead the JCS team supporting CDI. McIlhargey brings more than 35 years of engineering, process control, maintenance, facilities, and project management experience, as well as deep expertise of HTST, ESL, and aseptic processing technologies. His background includes leading food and dairy companies such as FairLife, Bubbies Ice Cream and Desserts, Shamrock Foods Company, and Darigold, where he spent most of his tenured career.

The new facility is expected to be in production by the end of 2024.