Rachel's sold to French dairy giant
Rachel’s employs 140 staff at its site near Aberystwyth and is best-known for its 100% organic yogurts that are supplied to major multiples, hotels and independent retailers.
A spokesperson for Rachel's said:"Certain subsidiaries of Dean Foods and BSA International, SA, a company under common control with Groupe Lactalis, have entered into an agreement in which BSA will acquire Dean Foods' Rachel's UK business.
Business as usual
"Rachel's is a premium yogurt brand which carries with it a rich history and strong brand equity as the second largest organic dairy brand in the UK.
"The terms of the agreement are not being disclosed.
"This transaction allows Dean Foods to grow the core elements of its portfolio that will yield the greatest return for shareholders.
"It remains business as usual at Rachel's at this time."
Started on a farm in Borth in the 1960s, family-owned Rachel’s initially sold milk, cream, butter and yogurt to local stores. After building a purpose-built dairy in 1990 the company was taken over by US food and beverage giant Dean Foods in 2004.
The 100% organic company supplies Waitrose, Sainsbury’s, Tesco and Morrison’s as well as The Ritz Hotel, Eurostar and a host of independent retailers with more than 10 million pots of yogurt a year.