LUCERNE, SWITZERLAND — Emmi, the largest Swiss milk processor, has agreed to acquire Jackson-Mitchell, Inc. (Meyenberg), a U.S. supplier of goat’s milk and evaporated and powdered goat’s milk. Financial terms of the transaction were not disclosed.
The acquisition of Meyenberg further expands Emmi’s international goat’s milk network, which includes Cypress Grove and Redwood Hill Farm & Creamery in the United States, Bettinehoeve and Goat Milk Powder in The Netherlands and Lácteos Caprinos in Spain.
Meyenberg generates annual sales of approximately $30 million, the company said, and it employs 30 at its two production sites in Turlock, Calif., and Yellville, Ark. Meyenberg also works with Cypress Grove and Redwood Hill Farm & Creamery – both owned by Emmi – to bridge seasonal milk production.
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| Matthias Kunz, executive vice-president, Americas, for the Emmi Group |
“Goat’s milk is in high demand and short supply in the U.S., but it is also a very challenging product as a result of its highly seasonal nature,” said Matthias Kunz, executive vice-president, Americas, for the Emmi Group. “We hope that Meyenberg’s excellent relations with goat’s milk farmers in California, Idaho, Kansas and Missouri will result in opportunities for both of our Californian goat’s milk processors, Cypress Grove and Redwood Hill Farm & Creamery, and that we will be able to even better meet the growing demand for these products as a result.”
Robert Jackson, current chief executive officer of Meyenberg, plans to continue in his role during the transition period and assist in the search for a successor. Frank Fillman, chief operating officer and member of the board, and Dough Buehrle, chief financial officer, will continue to work for Meyenberg in their current roles.
