LISLE, ILL. – QCS Purchasing Cooperative shared that its Dairy Quality Excellence (DQE) Program identified Umpqua Dairy Products Co. as an outstanding dairy producer, with the Roseburg, Oregon-based company achieving an “unprecedented sweep” of the cooperative’s awards.

Umpqua excelled in all three DQE categories – fluid milk, cultured products and ice cream – QCS shared, calling Umpqua’s performance an example of the dairy manufacturer’s “unwavering commitment to excellence.”

Additionally, QCS said Umpqua attained three merit awards, including the only one handed out during the 2023-24 cycle in the ice cream category,

The achievements solidified Umpqua as a finalist for QCS’s Irving B. Weber Award, which celebrates the top performing dairy plant, recognizing it for “superior product quality as determined by scoring in the quality testing program, operational excellence as indicated by Global Food Safety Initiative audit standards, and outstanding employee safety practices.”

QCS Purchasing Cooperative president and chief executive officer Ken Klug said the honors showed Umpqua’s hard work and dedication.

“Their commitment to quality across all categories is remarkable and sets a new benchmark in our industry,” Klug said. “We congratulate the entire Umpqua Dairy team for their extraordinary performance and look forward to celebrating their continued success."

Umpqua Dairy general manager Marty Weaver said the employees at the facility were “incredibly excited” about the achievements.

“They have done an amazing job remaining laser-focused on continuous improvement, quality, and food and team member safety,” Weaver reported. “I am immensely proud of the hard work and dedication that led to these achievements. Winning across all categories is a testament to the relentless pursuit of quality that defines Umpqua Dairy. We look forward to celebrating this success with our entire staff and continuing to deliver the highest quality dairy products to our customers.”

QCS said its DQE awards recognize “superior performance in product quality.” The Weber Award will be presented Oct. 22 in Denver, at the QCS Annual Conference and Gala.