Hamdi Ulukaya, the founder and global CEO of leading yogurt brand Chobani, today officially opened a brand-new warehouse and office facility in Melbourne’s south-east, reaffirming its commitment to the Australian manufacturing industry and local economy.

Working with Australian developer Aliro, to bring this expansion dream to life, this expanded site features a brand new office and significantly increases Chobani’s warehouse and logistics footprint whilst freeing up production space in its factory, in line with the company’s growth plans.  A state-of-the-art research and development pilot plant is also situated at the new site, with the expanded facility allowing Chobani to consolidate all of its operations in one easy location.

It is the first time to Australia since 2018 for US-based Ulukaya, and whilst here he has met with staff, presented to his team and opened the new facility.  A highly esteemed and devoted humanitarian, Ulukaya’s business philosophy is purpose-led, with his mission of making good food for more people permeating the Chobani culture at every level.

“We have long-term ambitions to grow our business, not only through growth in the yogurt category but also expansion beyond dairy, and this new facility will set us up to achieve these growth plans,” said Chobani Australia’s Managing Director Lyn Radford.

Hamdi’s own story is one of vision and innovation.  Born and raised on a dairy farm in a small village in Eastern Turkey, a move to the US in 1994 to study English was to change Hamdi’s life.  Craving the delicious yogurt he loved back home, and unable to find it in the US, he decided to buy a run-down yogurt factory and create Chobani from scratch.  Meaning ‘shepherd’ in Turkish, Chobani embodies the hard-working and compassionate spirit of the mountain farmer of his homeland.

‍

With a firm belief in the power of people and community, Hamdi’s approach has always been to foster a positive impact on those around him.  Hamdi’s incredible change for good is well documented and his numerous awards and decorations a testament to his ongoing and dedicated commitment to his ethos.  

Named as an Eminent Advocate by the United Nations Refugee Agency (UNHCR) for his work with refugees; recipient of a United Nations Foundation Global Leadership Award; a Global Citizen prize winner and having being named as one of TIME’s 100 Most Influential People in the World for his charity work and business philosophy, gives just a small snapshot of the man that he is.

The opening of the new Dandenong South facility solidifies Chobani’s commitment to the local area, enabling it to deliver opportunities and benefits to the community.

“Dandenong South has been our home since day one, so we are really excited that we will continue to be a part of this thriving local manufacturing hub and give back to the local community in which we operate,” said Radford.

With Chobani Australia celebrating its 10th anniversary in 2021, with Hamdi at the helm and a purpose-led business culture to make a difference, using food as a force for good, the future most definitely looks bright for Australian manufacturing, the local Dandenong community and yogurt lovers alike!

‍