Alto Dairy Cooperative

Alto Dairy Cooperative, commonly abbreviated as ADC, was a farmer-owned dairy cooperative based in Waupun, Wisconsin. Founded in 1894, it is described as the oldest farmer-owned cooperative in Wisconsin. Its business was organized around the collection, processing, and marketing of milk supplied by member farmers, with cheese production becoming a particularly important part of its operating identity. The cooperative developed a substantial manufacturing footprint in Wisconsin. By 2007, it operated cheese plants in Waupun and Black Creek and employed 467 people. The Black Creek facility was notable for its range of cheese-making capabilities and was identified as the cooperative's largest cheese-producing plant east of the Mississippi River. At approximately the same time, the cooperative had about 500 farmer members, illustrating the combination of agricultural membership and industrial-scale processing that characterized its model. Alto's 2007 financial scale included reported sales of $378 million and net income of $19.6 million. These figures describe the cooperative's performance in that year and should not be treated as current financial information. Its manufacturing activities also gave the organization visibility beyond the regional dairy sector. In 2007, the History Channel program Modern Marvels featured Alto Dairy and filmed employees and production operations at the Black Creek plant. The cooperative's cheese-making capabilities were recognized in competition. Alto Dairy Colby-Jack cheese won awards at the World Championship Cheese and Butter Contest in both 2006 and 2008, with the prize-winning product associated with the Black Creek facility. These recognitions provide evidence of a branded or identified cheese offering, although the available reference material does not establish a complete consumer product portfolio or distribution structure. In 2008, active cooperative farmers approved the sale of Alto Dairy Cooperative to Saputo Inc., a Canadian cheese producer. The approval reportedly received 98 percent support, allowing Saputo Cheese USA, Inc. to acquire the cooperative for $160 million. Following the transaction, Alto Dairy continued operating under its original name as a Saputo subsidiary. The acquisition changed Alto's ownership structure from a farmer-owned cooperative to a business controlled within Saputo's corporate group, while preserving the Alto name in operations. Publicly available material supplied for this entry does not provide a confirmed current employee count, product list, plant status, revenue figure, or standalone website.

Alto Dairy Cooperative was established in 1894 in Wisconsin and became a farmer-owned organization linking dairy producers with milk collection, processing, and cheese manufacturing activities. Its long operating history made it notable within the state's cooperative dairy sector; the available reference identifies it as Wisconsin's oldest farmer-owned cooperative. Over time, Alto developed beyond a purely local agricultural association into a sizable dairy processor. Its facilities in Waupun and Black Creek supported cheese production, and the Black Creek plant was particularly associated with a broad range of cheese-making capabilities. By 2007, the cooperative had roughly 500 farmer members and employed 467 people. The same year, it was reported to have sales of $378 million and net income of $19.6 million. These historical figures indicate the scale of the organization before its ownership transition, but they do not establish its present financial condition. The cooperative also attracted public attention through its manufacturing operations. In 2007, the History Channel series Modern Marvels visited Alto Dairy and recorded production activity at the Black Creek cheese plant. Its products gained recognition in professional competition as well: Alto Dairy Colby-Jack cheese won awards at the World Championship Cheese and Butter Contest in 2006 and again in 2008. A major organizational change occurred in 2008. Active farmers belonging to the cooperative approved a sale to Saputo Cheese USA, Inc., part of the Canadian dairy company Saputo Inc. The reported approval rate was 98 percent, and the purchase price was $160 million. The transaction ended Alto's status as an independently farmer-owned cooperative while retaining the Alto name as a subsidiary operating within Saputo's corporate structure. The supplied reference material does not document the cooperative's original organizers, detailed governance arrangements, complete brand architecture, subsequent plant changes, or current standalone management. It does, however, establish a history spanning agricultural cooperation, Wisconsin cheese manufacturing, national media exposure, product competition, and acquisition by a major international dairy company.

• 2008

  Saputo acquisition is approved

  [1]Alto Dairy Cooperativeen.wikipedia.org

  Ninety-eight percent of active farmer members approve the sale of Alto Dairy Cooperative to Saputo Cheese USA, Inc. for a reported $160 million.

• 2008

  Colby-Jack wins another award

  [1]Alto Dairy Cooperativeen.wikipedia.org

  Alto Dairy Colby-Jack cheese receives another award at the World Championship Cheese and Butter Contest.

• 2007

  Cooperative reaches major reported operating scale

  [1]Alto Dairy Cooperativeen.wikipedia.org

  Alto is reported to have approximately 500 farmer members, 467 employees, two cheese plants, $378 million in sales, and $19.6 million in net income.

• 2007

  Featured on Modern Marvels

  [1]Alto Dairy Cooperativeen.wikipedia.org

  The History Channel program Modern Marvels documents Alto Dairy's operations and cheese production at the Black Creek plant.

• 2006

  Colby-Jack receives competition recognition

  [1]Alto Dairy Cooperativeen.wikipedia.org

  Alto Dairy Colby-Jack cheese wins an award at the World Championship Cheese and Butter Contest.

• 1894

  Alto Dairy Cooperative is founded

  [1]Alto Dairy Cooperativeen.wikipedia.org

  Alto Dairy Cooperative is established in Wisconsin as a farmer-owned dairy cooperative.

Wisconsin-based dairy processing organization with roots in farmer ownership and a strong emphasis on cheese manufacturing.

• Dairy processing

  Cheese

  Cheese was Alto Dairy Cooperative's central manufactured product category. The cooperative operated cheese plants in Waupun and Black Creek, with the Black Creek facility noted for its ability to make a diverse range of cheeses. The available material does not provide a complete list of varieties, packaging formats, or current distribution channels.

• Cheese

  Colby-Jack cheese

  Alto Dairy Colby-Jack was an identified Alto Dairy cheese product associated with the Black Creek plant. It won awards at the World Championship Cheese and Butter Contest in 2006 and 2008. No reliable source supplied here confirms whether the product remains sold under the Alto name.

• Milk supply

  Raw milk

  Milk supplied by member farmers formed the agricultural input base of the cooperative. The available reference supports Alto's dairy-processing role but does not establish a standalone consumer liquid-milk brand or detailed raw-milk sales program.

• 2008

  Sale to Saputo Cheese USAM&A

  Background

  Alto Dairy was a substantial Wisconsin dairy cooperative with farmer members, cheese plants, and reported 2007 sales of $378 million.

  Action taken

  Active cooperative farmers approved the sale to Saputo Cheese USA, Inc. with 98 percent support. The reported purchase price was $160 million.

  Aftermath

  Alto Dairy continued operating under its original name as a subsidiary of Saputo Inc., changing the organization from farmer-owned cooperative control to ownership within a Canadian dairy group.

  Acquisition price. $160 million (2008 transaction)

  Source

1. 1Alto Dairy Cooperativeen.wikipedia.org