Emmi takes over two more goat's milk companies

In December, Emmi bought an 80% stake in Spanish goat’s milk processor Lácteos Caprinos S.A.

Now, the company has agreed the takeover of American family company Jackson-Mitchell, Inc. (Meyenberg).

Emmi has been gradually expanding its international goat’s milk network since 2010, when it acquired Cypress Grove in California and the Le Petit Chevrier brand in Switzerland.

Since then, the company has invested further in the market with the purchase of Redwood Hill Farm in the US, Bettinehoeve and Goat Milk Powder in the Netherlands, as well as trading company AVH dairy, which is also based in the Netherlands but operates globally.

Meyenberg

Harold Jackson – father of the current co-owner – acquired the company that was founded by John P. Meyenberg, the son of a Swiss immigrant, in 1934.

Meyenberg is a supplier of goat’s milk and evaporated and powdered goat’s milk in the US. Meyenberg distributes its products nationwide, primarily in national supermarket chains, but also online (via Amazon) and through regional retailers and speciality businesses.

The company already works with other Emmi companies Cypress Grove and Redwood Hill Farm to bridge seasonal milk production.

With 30 employees at two production sites in Turlock, California, and Yellville, Arkansas, Meyenberg generates annual sales of almost $30m.

Few changes

Matthias Kunz, executive vice president Americas for the Emmi Group, said that goat’s milk is in high demand and short supply in the US, but it is also a very challenging product as a result of its highly seasonal nature.

“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,”​ Kunz said.

Emmi has announced that Robert Jackson, the current CEO, will continue in his role during the transition period and also assist with the search for a suitable successor as a member of the board of directors.

COO and board member Frank Fillman and CFO Dough Buehrle will continue to work for the company in their current roles.

Emmi stated there are no staff changes planned elsewhere in the company.

Lácteos Caprinos

Lácteos Caprinos is based in Campillo de Arenas in southern Spain, employs approximately 30 staff and generates annual sales of around €13m ($13.6m).

Spain is Europe’s second-largest producer of goat’s milk (approximately 20%) after France.

The focus of Lácteos Caprinos is on the manufacture of semi-finished products (curd) for goat’s cheese manufacturers both in Spain and abroad. Many goat’s cheese manufacturers use such semi-finished products to make up for any seasonal milk shortages.

Lácteos Caprinos also manufactures goat’s milk cream cheese, which is sold through Spanish retailers under the Delicapra brand.

Since Spain is also experiencing steadily growing consumer demand for goat’s milk products, Emmi says it is now in the position of being able to further expand this local business in the medium term.

Previous owners to retain roles

Emmi is acquiring the stake in Lácteos Caprinos from its two owners, Pedro Mantilla and Francisco Sainz. The remaining 20% will remain with the current owners.

They will continue to work for the company in their current roles: Mantilla as managing director and Sainz as chief operation officer with a focus on production and milk procurement.

This transaction is scheduled to close in January 2017.

The purchase price of both transactions has not been disclosed.