Emmi acquires Jackson-Mitchell in US

Swiss milk processing company Emmi has bought US-based goat milk products manufacturer Jackson-Mitchell (Meyenberg).

Financial details of the transaction have not been disclosed by either company.

With the increased demand in goat's milk products, the acquisition will enhance Emmi’s presence in this market segment.

Emmi Group Americas executive vice-president Matthias Kunz said: “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.”

Emmi entered the goat’s milk product business in 2010, and has since acquired three companies associated with its production.

The company has now expanded to five goat's milk processors abroad, including Cypress Grove, Redwood Hill Farm & Creamery in USA; AVH dairy, Bettinehoeve and Goat Milk Powder in the Netherlands; and LácteosCaprinos in Spain.

Jackson-Mitchell is a family-owned business and manufactures products under the Meyenberg brand.

Meyenberg has a workforce of approximately 30 employees across two production sites in California and Arkansas, as well as generates annual sales of nearly $30m.

Meyenberg CEO Robert Jackson said: “Since there is no successor in place from within the family, we took our time coming to a decision on the future of our family company.

“We saw how successful the acquisition of Redwood Hill Farm & Creamery was and became convinced that we would be able to trust Emmi with our company as well. Continuity is very important to us.”

The acquisition is reported to be beneficial for Emmi as it offers opportunities in milk procurement.

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Image: Emmi head office in Switzerland. Photo: courtesy of Emmi.