As many of you already know from previous articles, Imran Saleh started making cheese 11 years ago at his home (as a hobby). A few years later, he jumped off the cliff into doing it full time and his business has been growing wildly ever since.
Now, he has built a huge manufacturing facility in an industrial area – where he is able to produce 150 tons of cheese per month
The current cheese facility has a total area of 16000 sq ft and a huge driveway and parking lot. There are 2 large rooms for cheese making and packing. One room is over 6000 sq ft and the other is around 4000.
They are making glassed-in zones for different sections – shredding, cream cheese making, mozzarella, ricotta, maturing – and every section will be separated by glass walls.
In the future, they are planning to invite students from schools in groups so they can see the cheese making process and maybe become cheese makers themselves.
One of the rooms is ready now with separate zones for producing and packing cheese.
The second room is currently being used to fabricate equipment.
In a few months, more space will be transformed into a production room and some offices.
There are 2 huge cold storage rooms.
Packaged goods are sent to a room next to the make room where they are packed into boxes. These boxes are sent to another small-sized cold storage area where they wait to be picked up by the market supervisor and dispatched to their destinations via company vans (local and outsourced).
The building was designed with a separate entrance called a “vacuum.” It’s where the staff members put on their gowns and boots before entering the hall.
There is a separate CIP room (clean-in-place) used as a washing area where they installed a big RO plant (reverse osmosis) to get the cleanest water.
They also have a cafeteria where they offer free food to the staff.
The future:
Imran’s mission:
Imran has never been in this for the money. He is truly devoted to making award winning cheese for the people of Pakistan. He has, in fact, educated Pakistanis about the difference between commodity cheese and artisan cheese.
When he first started making cheese, Pakistan was dependent on imported cheese. Imran wanted the country to have it’s own and now it does. Eventually, he hopes there will be no need for imports.
From Imran:
I am very busy with the expansion. (Some jobs still need to be done.) But, I like this part – it’s giving me a purpose.
It’s a dream come true. I believe that soon we will be able to make Lahore the Wisconsin of Pakistan and our cheese products will be available all over Pakistan, as well as in other countries.
From a kitchen adventure to an industrial unit took 12 years, but to me, these were the best years of my life. The first blog article in 2013 through the many until 2021 at New England Cheesemaking Supply Company and other platforms are awards to me – more precious than any other award.*
This adventure has brought many amazing people into my life. I discovered myself. Now my struggle is shifting. I want to see Pakistan among the quality cheese producing and cheese exporting countries.
When I leave this world I want to hear two words – ” Well Done.”
Farmer’s Cheese Making – https://www.farmerscheesemaking.com/
Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/farmerscheesemaking/
92-3302433737 (cheese)
92-35181219
*Previous blog articles about Imran:
IMRAN SALEH UPDATE – THE PANDEMIC IN PAKISTAN (2020)
IMRAN SALEH IN LAHORE, PAKISTAN – AN UPDATE (2019)
IMRAN SALEH IN PAKISTAN – EXPANDING AGAIN! (2017)
IMRAN SALEH – CHANGING THE CULTURE OF PAKISTAN (2015)
TEACHING A WORKSHOP IN PAKISTAN WITH IMRAN SALEH (2013)
MAKING “DRY” MOZZARELLA IN PAKISTAN (2013)
MAKING CHEESE IN PAKISTAN (2013)
Paige Van Pelt says
I love your desire to make Lahore the “Wisconsin of Pakistan!” Such a pleasure to read about the success of a man who is passionate about making the most of his country’s resources and going beyond food security for his neighbors.
Mark Leisen says
This really is an amazing story and I’ve been with Imran since day one. Very proud of his accomplishments.
Imran says
Thank you Bro
I feel so proud to have wonderful people with me through out this journey
Very well done! You are a role model for others in this world of ours that is crying out for such dedicated people who love their country. I only can hope that someone from my beloved Lebanon can or, at least, try to accomplish something that will help!
Fantastic! Great reading about your cheese making journey. Congratulations!
I am a recently retired professional and took this up as a hobby (a full plate of hobbies as of now!) in December 2020. So far, i have thoroughly enjoyed making small batches more for fun and share with friends. Was a bit nervous at first, but truly amazed at the results.
Imran, it is you who have made our dreams come true. Your passion turning a hobby into an livelihood for many, your focus and determination to get to where you are today, you are not only a visionary, you are a vision creator and I applaud your every step of the ‘whey’! مبارک ہو ( I hope I have that right), I am sending a Huge congratulations to you! and another huge آپ کا شکریہ (thank you) for sharing your journey with us and our entire cheese making family. Stay safe, stay creative, in love and Peace, Ricki
It’s such a great honor to get a comment from you Ricci Carroll.
And I feel so ashamed , as I checked the blog today after a long time due to bring over business .
The love , honour and support from you guys through out my journey which had not yet finished .
I feel so loved and blessed. And I am so much in love with all of you .
Lots of prayers and love
Stay safe & healthy
Imran, you have no reason to feel ashamed of anything, what you are doing is phenomenal. We are all going through this strange existence together right now and so many things simply fall between the cracks of time. Please know you have my highest respect, you give me hope for a brighter future for all of us. I am blessed by being able to learn more about you and what you are doing. Stay safe and Stay Creative, In Peace, Ricki
Love your kind words . These are enough to keep me warm and gota going .
It is quite amazing to see the volume and variety of cheese coming from what appear to be a series of very human sized vats. I compliment Imran Saleh on his wonderful accomplishments.
Love your comment sir .
Thanks a million
Well done, Imran! Such a fabulous dream come to fruition!
😊 Thanks
💕
That is wonderful to see. Well done! Amazing progress!
💕 thanks