O-AT-KA Milk Products Cooperative, Inc.

O-AT-KA Butter Wins 1st Place in World Championship!

The winners of the 2006 World Cheese & Butter Championship, sponsored by the Wisconsin Cheese Makers Association were announced March 23rd, 2006.

Butter makers from 18 countries around the world submitted 1,792 entries that were judged by an international panel of experts.

O-AT-KA’s butter was judged as Best In Class with a score of 99.3 out of 100 and bronze on a second entry with a score of 99.1. This year’s award reflects O-AT-KA’s past successes in this biennial event as we won first place as Best of Class in 2000, 2002 and 2004 as well as the U.S. Championship in 2003. In addition, O-AT-KA has taken home the silver and gold awards at the New York State Fair for over twenty-six years.

Best of class winners earn a cash prize, a gold medallion and accompanying blue ribbon. The World Champions Awards banquet was held April 26th, 2006 and
O-AT-KA was represented by Rod Thomas (Butter Room Supervisor) and Kevin O’Connor (Butter Maker).

Rod Thomas recognizes the team effort of all the Butter Makers consisting of:

David Buczek
David Clor
Michael Clor
James Laskett
Gino Maniace
Richard Maniace
Shelly Nisbet
Kevin O’Connor
Donald Rice
Joseph Ruffino

“We all take pride in and stand behind the quality of our exceptional products,” Rod commented.

David Crisp, Vice President of Business Development commented that “This award reflects O-AT-KA’s commitment to quality that is widely recognized in the industry.”

Carl Teravainen, Director of Quality Assurance reported that a judging panel selected the top three products in each of 37 classes. Judges worked in silent teams of two. Each entry was examined for defects in flavor, body and texture, appearance and other categories. Entries were evaluated on their own merits against strict butter standards.

Mac McCampbell, Chief Operating Officer stated that “Every employee is to be commended for this international achievement. We take pride in our work and our products and it shows. I am very proud and thank each employee.”