FrieslandCampina Gerkesklooster celebrates 125th anniversary
On September 27 we celebrated the 125th anniversary of our largest cheese production site in Gerkesklooster. Located on the border of Groningen and Friesland, the site processes meadow milk into more than 60 different types of cheese. After a big fire in 2014, the site was rebuilt. Since then, Gerkesklooster has been continuously evolving to produce more efficiently and sustainably. Investments have been made in sustainable water management, and a new milk receiver will be commissioned next year. Currently, around 90 million kilos of cheese are produced annually.
“Gerkesklooster officially started as a butter and cheese production site with just two employees. Today, we’ve grown into one of the most modern cheese production sites, with around 170 employees and highly automated processes. In 2025, we produce two and a half times more cheese per day than in the entire first year!” says Sibble Jan Broos, Plant Director at FrieslandCampina Gerkesklooster. “To mark our 125th anniversary, we’ve captured the rich history of the site in a special commemorative book.”
Mergers
Over the years, Gerkesklooster has undergone many changes. The site expanded through several mergers with nearby dairy production sites. In 1998, butter production ceased, and in 2020, milk powder production was discontinued. Since then, Gerkesklooster has focused solely on the production of cheese and the fibers for Valess: around 200,000 kilos of cheese are produced per day.
Gerkesklooster’s employees and their families, along with member dairy farmers from the region, gathered for an on-site celebration.