FITCHBURG, WIS. – Specialty cheese producer Emmi Roth unveiled plans to break ground on a new US headquarters and cheese conversion facility in Stoughton, Wis.

Features of the new 134,000-square-foot space will include conversion capabilities and increased distribution capacity for Emmi Roth, which also shared that 100 new jobs will be created.

“This is an exciting chapter in Emmi Roth’s history,” said Tim Omer, president and managing director of Emmi Roth. “Thanks to the tireless efforts of our team, we’re proud to be breaking ground in Stoughton, a vibrant farming community which fits with our steadfast commitment to Wisconsin’s dairy industry.”

The company needed greater conversion and distribution capabilities after acquiring leading feta brand Athenos in 2021.

“The primary purpose of this facility is cheese conversion,” said Jordan Ehlen, Emmi Roth’s director of manufacturing. “Conversion is the process of taking cheeses from their original, larger form and crumbling, shredding or portioning them into their end form. Conversion allows us to provide different packaging options to customers and consumers, based on their needs – which may be a cup, bag, chunk, wedge or another form.”

Ehlen said the new facility will help the company quickly react to changes and get new cheeses to the market faster than it could in the past.

Once completed – projected for the end of 2023 – Emmi Roth will move out of its corporate office in Fitchburg, Wis., and operate out of the new space.

The company also has three other Wisconsin facilities, in Monroe, Platteville and Seymour.

A groundbreaking ceremony for the new headquarters in Stoughton is scheduled for Aug. 4.