Alto Alegre Invests in Automation and New Products for Competitiveness

Alto Alegre, a Brazilian dairy company, is taking significant steps to boost its competitiveness by focusing on two main pillars: quality production and the establishment of strong partnerships throughout its supply chain. According to Director Lino Zeni, these efforts are crucial for maintaining the company's market position.

The company places a strong emphasis on improving production quality at the supplier level, recognizing that the process begins in the field. Despite a decrease in the number of producers over the last five years, those remaining have invested in their properties, enhancing technical support and business management.

Alto Alegre currently offers a portfolio of 30 products, directing investments toward categories with significant market share or growing demand. Sliced cheese, which accounts for 15% of production, has prompted the installation of a second automated line, with plans to increase this share to 20-30%. The company has also acquired an automated line with robotic capabilities for the primary and secondary packaging of mozzarella cheese.

In addition to sliced cheese, Alto Alegre is expanding its production of four-kilogram cheese bars as a value-added alternative. The production of queijo coalho is also being increased due to rising demand, while cream remains popular in the southern region of Brazil.

Further innovation is underway as the company plans to utilize whey protein more effectively. Currently, the solid concentration of whey is increased from 7% to 21%. The company is exploring partnerships to convert whey into powder, aiming to produce whey protein for cereal bars, human supplementation, and animal feed.

Celebrating its 25th anniversary, Alto Alegre views this milestone as the beginning of a new phase focused on industrial efficiency, product development with higher value addition, and better utilization of processed milk.