US-based dairy company Shamrock Farms has announced an expansion of its milk manufacturing facility in Augusta County, Virginia.

This expansion comes two years after the facility opened and is expected to more than double production capacity. It will create more than 70 new jobs in Augusta County and once completed Shamrock Farms will employ around 120 people at the facility.

The expansion will boost filling capacity and expand product varieties, sizes, and formats. Among the technology additions include the ability to produce shelf stable products using convenient plastic single-serve bottles.

Shamrock Farms' chief marketing officer Ann Ocana said: "As a company we're always looking for ways to grow and innovate.

"The expansion gives us the capacity and technology to meet growing demand, expand our offerings and propel milk-based beverages into the future."

"The expansion gives us the capacity and technology to meet growing demand."

The company claimed that its fresh milk products do not include growth hormone rBST.

Shamrock Farms' quality products are available in more than 50,000 quick service restaurants and 36,000 grocery and convenience stores across the US.

The existing product portfolio includes ready-to-drink mmmmilk line and Rockin' Refuel protein beverages.

 Recently, Shamrock Farms launched Cold Brew Coffee and Milk, to capitalise on the rapidly growing ready-to-drink coffee category.

Shamrock Farms is investing more than $40m  into the project and will receive a $400,000 grant from the Virginia Investment Partnership (VIP) programme, along with a $400,000 grant from the Governor's Agriculture and Forestry Industries Development (AFID) Fund, which is administered by the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services.

This expansion is expected to be completed by late 2018.