On March 20, 2024, the ONC BOCES New Visions Engineering Class of 2024 visited the New Berlin Chobani Factory. Throughout the day, they learned about Chobani’s growth to become a prominent nationwide company, the processes of creating yogurt, and the roles of engineers within the factory.
First, the students were warmly welcomed by Morgan VanAlstine, and then Nathan Gundlach, Vice President of Operations, introduced Chobani and discussed his path to his current position. He answered all student inquiries and provided some positive advice for aspiring engineers. Isaac Adams then gave a well-done, informative presentation on the production of Chobani yogurt and the inner workings of the factory. Chobani staff provided protective gear for the students heading into the factory next. Once they were all suited with steel-toed shoes, overcoats, earplugs, hairnets, and safety glasses, the students followed Adams into the factory for an in-depth tour. Through observing the complex operation and smooth functioning of the facility, the students gained a better understanding of the industry and potential future work. From witnessing the straining of the milk to watching the various conveyor belts in the packaging areas, the tour was highly engaging and enjoyed by the students.
Afterward, Chobani generously provided a delicious lunch and allowed yogurt sampling to conclude the trip on a sweet note. The aspiring engineers could interact with company engineers Josh Walter, John Gray, and Abhiram Boralkar to learn more about their functions within Chobani. To close out the visit, Gundlach addressed any final questions from the students. The tour was informative and useful for the students to understand how the material learned in the classroom can be applied to the real world.