The Best Cheese USA news comes on the heels of FrieslandCampina’s other December deals: acquiring US-based importer and distributor Jana Foods, acquiring Spanish cheese co-packer and distributor Millán Vicente and signing a manufacturing agreement with Germany’s DMK Group.
The Jana Foods deal signaled FrieslandCampina’s commitment to expanding its reach of Dutch specialty cheeses, integrating an existing ‘important strategic partner’ that had already worked with FrieslandCampina products for several years.
At the time, Roel van Neerbos, president of FrieslandCampina Consumer Dairy, said, “This acquisition supports our strategy of investing for growth. This investment is in line with our strategy to grow our cheese business and strengthens our position in The Americas. This deal will allow us to offer consumers a wider portfolio of innovative products for the US market.”
Gert Jan Poort, president of FrieslandCampina Consumer Dairy US, told DairyReporter, “The importation and marketing of cheese from UK, Denmark, Australia, Ireland and some others will be continued. Jana Foods together with the existing US cheese business of FrieslandCampina will be integrated to one entity.”
New York-based Best Cheese Corporation is also an importer and vendor of fine cheeses, including brands like Parrano, Robusto and Melkbus. It specializes in different Gouda styles made from cow, goat or sheep milk.
Willem Jan Rote, former owner of Best Cheese, said, “The combination of Best Cheese’s USA position as an established specialty cheese vendor and the strength of FrieslandCampina as the leading supplier of Dutch cheese, will take the success of our brands Parrano, Robusto and Melkbus to the next level.”
The Best Cheese USA deal follows FrieslandCampina’s August announcement that it acquired the activities of Best Cheese Holland, which is now part of FrieslandCampina. Best Cheese USA will be fully integrated into FrieslandCampina Consumer Dairy USA, and former Best Cheese shareholders will not continue to be involved with the business.
“Through this integration, in combination with FrieslandCampina’s local cheese imports business, FrieslandCampina creates a bigger organization to accelerate growth of a wide branded dairy proposition in the United States,” Jan Poort said.
“As a part of our transformative strategy, we continue to focus on delivering the best product to serve consumer’s needs. The Americas is a strategic growth market for us. By acquiring Best Cheese and Jana Foods we will be able to grow our cheese business in the region further,” van Neerbos said.