“Two years ago the phone rang off the hook with recruiters calling all the time, it has been a long time since I had a call from a recruiter, but now they are starting to call again” said Linda Wetzel, Quality Control Manager of Inland Northwest Dairies, Spokane Washington. In an industry that has experienced two years of mergers, downsizing, and plant closings nationwide, research released today (11/27/03) details a positive growth picture for the coming year 2004.

In a survey of Dairy Manufacturing hiring authorities conducted by Scott R. Perreault, Dairy Industry Recruiter Since 1989, nearly fifty-five percent (55%) indicated they intend to hire management personnel in the first two quarters of 2004. Seventy-eight percent (78%) described their plants as working with minimal staffing and in need of more management team members. Thirty-two percent (32%) suggested the milk prices will play a key factor in the number of staff they add this year and Ninety- five percent (95%) believed that the Dairy Manufacturing industry has seen its worst days and the future looks very promising.