Lucerne-based Emmi yesterday announced the sale of its Penn Yan, New York aseptic dairy production facility to KanPak, a Kansas-based firm that specializes in contract aseptic packaging, for an undisclosed sum.
Emmi expects to complete the sale of its Penn Yan plant, which generated revenue of US$30m (€24.2m) last year, to KanPak by December 18.
In a statement, the Swiss dairy said its disposal of the Penn Yan plant will allow it to focus on its US cheese activities, which include imports from Switzerland, two Emmi Roth plants in Wisconsin, and its Cypress Grove Chevre goat's cheese operation in California.
"In the US, Emmi concentrates in the production of specialty cheese," said Emmi in a statement. "It's core business does not include contract manufacturing for third parties."
With this in mind, Emmi believes KanPak will make better use of the Penn Yan facility.
"With its focus on contract manufacturing, KanPak will be able to grow the production site of Penn Yan even faster than Emmi, and will therefore prove to be the better owner of this plant."
"The acquisition of Emmi Penn Yan will allow KanPak to further diversify its US customers, expand production and drive growth."
Emmi Penn acquired the Penn Yan business, formerly Contract Aseptic & Specialty Packaging (CASP), in August 2010.
Until now it has specialized in producing yogurt for the US market.
Icelandic-style yogurt brand Siggi's, of which Emmi acquired a 25% stake in 2013, was among the products manufactured at Penn Yan.