PARSIPPANY, NJ. — Finlandia Cheese, Inc., a subsidiary of Valio Ltd., Helsinki, Finland, is changing its name to Valio USA.
The new name will provide a closer connection between the subsidiary and its parent company in corporate branding and messaging, the dairy manufacturer said. Finlandia will remain the brand name for Valio USA’s cheese and butter line.
The name change also will facilitate the company’s expansion into new categories, including plant-based cheese alternatives and value-added dairy ingredients for US food manufacturers.
Valio USA recently introduced new plant-based vegan cheese alternatives in the United States under the Oddlygood brand.
“They taste great and melt perfectly in pizza,” said Mari Meriluoto, director of marketing and business development at Valio USA. “As we are expanding to new categories outside of traditional cheese and butter, we feel that the Valio USA name will give us more flexibility to develop a variety of innovative new products that make everyday meals extra delicious.”
The company also will introduce dairy ingredient solutions to the United States to help manufacturers meet demand for health requirements such as free from, high protein and low sugar. In April, it partnered with North American specialty ingredients distributor Palmer Holland for the sales, marketing and distribution of lactose-free milk powders.