Fairlife opens its $650m Webster milk-processing plant
Fairlife held a ceremonial ribbon-cutting on August 20 for its new plant in Webster, Monroe County. The soft opening brought together Kerr, Hochul, Webster Town Supervisor Alex Scialdone and Monroe County Executive Adam Bello. The 745,000-square-foot site represents one of the largest capital investments in the history of The Coca-Cola Company, which owns Fairlife.
The plant is described as the largest single industrial development in Monroe County’s history and the largest dairy production facility in the northeastern United States. Recruitment has progressed beyond the level anticipated in state performance incentives and the company’s internal construction forecasts: approximately 380 full-time positions have already been created in the region, compared with an original goal of 250.
Fairlife plans to run the site continuously, with all three main processing lines operating during the second half of 2026. Products will include high-protein, lactose-free ultra-filtered milk, Core Power protein shakes and Nutrition Plan meal-replacement beverages.
At its planned full throughput, the facility is expected to handle about 5m pounds of raw milk each day. Supplies will come directly from dairy-farm cooperatives in the Rochester, Niagara and Finger Lakes areas. The operation is expected to generate around 200 daily movements by milk tanker and semi-trailer.
Local authorities have planned infrastructure work in connection with the transport activity. The projects include extending Boulter Industrial Parkway and widening roads near Tebor and Basket roads. The plant also includes shell space reserved for later industrial expansion.
“Soaring consumer demand for dairy-based protein formats” makes the Webster site a central part of Fairlife’s long-term national supply strategy, Kerr told attendees, describing the opening as “one step in our Webster journey”. Hochul said New York’s agricultural policy and dairy infrastructure supported the state’s position as the primary hub for Fairlife’s continuing production growth.
