Mergers And Acquisitions

DFA to purchase a portion of Dean Foods’ assets for $433m

By Beth Newhart

After several months of back and forth following the Dean Foods bankruptcy, the Dairy Farmers of America (DFA) co-op is acquiring a majority of its assets for $433m. Prairie Farms Dairy will also get a portion for $75m.

Nestlé USA is the second largest ice cream manufacturer in the US, and Froneri will now be the second largest ice cream manufacturer in the world.

Froneri scoops Nestlé’s US ice cream division for $4bn

By Beth Newhart

Froneri started as an ice cream-focused joint venture between Nestlé and PAI Partners in 2016, and the relationship will be furthered by the acquisition of Nestlé USA’s collection of ice cream brands.

Dean Foods is ‘engaged in advanced discussions’ with the Dairy Farmers of America regarding a potential sale of all company assets.

Dean Foods files for bankruptcy in Texas

By Beth Newhart

One of the most well-known dairy companies in the US is prepared to sell its business after years of disappointing numbers. The Dairy Farmers of America (DFA) may be a potential buyer of the Dean Foods assets.

Halo Top acquired by Blue Bunny producer

By Beth Newhart

Wells Enterprises has announced its purchase of light ice cream company Halo Top. Wells already manufactures popular dessert brands like Blue Bunny, Bomb Pop and Chilly Cow.

DFA chose its accelerator startups based on innovation potential and

DFA wraps up accelerator and merger deal

By Beth Newhart

In late June the Dairy Farmers of America (DFA) started a merger with St. Albans Cooperative Creamery. It also held the Demo Day for six agriculture and dairy startups in its third annual accelerator.

Kroger has recently put new emphasis on its ecommerce platform by launching Kroger Ship last summer.

Peak Rock acquires Turkey Hill Dairy from Kroger

By Beth Newhart

Peak Rock Capital has signed an agreement to acquire the Turkey Hill Dairy business from The Kroger Co., known for ice cream, refrigerated drinks and other dairy products. It marks Peak Rock’s eighth current investment in the food and beverage industry.

Dean Foods plans to invest in its core capabilities, technology, infrastructure, people and systems.

Sharp loss in profit forces Dean Foods to consider sale

By Beth Newhart

A disappointing fourth quarter for Dean Foods rounded out an under-performing 2018, causing the dairy giant to explore alternatives in its ‘business transformation.’ It is considering a joint venture, business combination or even a sale.

Cargill reports a 20% earnings loss in Q2

By Beth Newhart

Cargill took a hit in its second quarter with a 20% drop in net earnings compared to the year-ago period. It cited a ‘world of uncertainty’ affected by the struggling US dairy industry and lingering trade wars throughout 2018.

The sale is expected to boost Axéréal's global malt footprint.

Cargill sells malt business to Axéréal

By Beth Newhart

French grain cooperative Axéréal will acquire Cargill’s malt business under the Axéréal malt subsidiary Boortmalt, affecting 15 global facilities and more than 500 people.

FrieslandCampina acquires second US company

By Beth Newhart

The Dutch Royal FrieslandCampina N.V., a global dairy brand, closes out a busy December with the announcement that it has acquired Best Cheese Corporation USA, importer and vendor of specialty cheeses. It’s the second US company it has picked up this...

Noosa has tripled its sales, market share and local production capacity in the last four years.

Noosa yogurt acquired by Sovos Brands

By Beth Newhart

Australian-style yogurt brand Noosa is merging into Sovos Brands, a CPG collector with an Italian portfolio and financial backing from Advent International.

The first meeting of the alliance will be on October 8, 2018 in Madison, Wisc.

Dairy Food Safety Alliance formed in Wisconsin

By Beth Newhart

The Center for Dairy Research (CDR), the Dairy Farmers of Wisconsin (DFW) and the Wisconsin Cheese Makers Association (WCMA) have come together to form the Dairy Food Safety Alliance to serve the Wisconsin dairy industry.

Dairy tops list of acquisitions in 2017

Dairy tops list of acquisitions in 2017

By Jim Cornall

According to a report by Zenith Global, 2017 was another record year for food and drink industry transactions, with 727 registered in the bevblog.net mergers and acquisitions database, an average of almost 14 each week.

Animal feed industry gets a new website

Animal feed industry gets a new website

By Jane Byrne

A new website has been launched to supply breaking news for the global animal feed industry – a sector that was valued at $500 billion last year.

China’s big two dairies break into world’s top 15

China’s big two dairies break into world’s top 15

By RJ Whitehead

While the world’s five biggest dairy players continue to maintain a firm hold on their positions for another year, Rabobank’s annual survey into the industry’s top 20 giants is notable for the ongoing rise of Chinese players and the slippage of US companies...

Mixed progress for Unilever since 2007 - analyst

Mixed progress for Unilever since 2007 - analyst

By Rod Addy

Unilever has shown mixed progress over the past five years, according to Andrew Wood, senior research analyst for food and home & personal care products at Sanford C Bernstein, based on its predictions for the company made in 2007.

Competition watchdog scrutinizes Amcor takeover plans

Competition watchdog scrutinizes Amcor takeover plans

By Rory Harrington

The Australian competition watchdog confirmed it is probing Amcor’s proposed takeover of packaging company Aperio Group to see if the deal would damage competition in the domestic market.