Dairy company Emmi has entered into a merger with cheese maker Cowgirl Creamery and the associated Tomales Bay Foods, which will allow it to strengthen its position in sustainably produced speciality cow’s milk cheeses.
In addition, Emmi said that it would benefit from the strong voice of the Petaluma, California-based company in the American artisan cheese community.
Emmi currently generates 44% of its sales abroad: one-third through exports from Switzerland and two-thirds through products made locally by Emmi subsidiaries. The company underlined that its international growth is a part of its overall strategy and is being pursued both organically and through further acquisitions; of particular interest are companies in niche markets which operate in countries where Emmi is already active. Cowgirl Creamery fits this bill.
The two companies were founded in 1997 by Sue Conley and Peggy Smith in Point Reyes, California. Its product portfolio of traditionally produced specialities includes soft, semi-hard and aged artisan cheeses. All products included in the range are organic, with the milk used for processing sourced exclusively from Marin and Sonoma counties in Northern California. Mt Tam – their most popular cheese – is named after Mount Tamalpais, the highest peak in the Marin Hills.
Co-founders Smith and Conley will remain with Cowgirl Creamery as managing directors.
Emmi CEO Urs Riedener said: “Tomales Bay Foods and Cowgirl Creamery are an excellent addition to our portfolio of sustainably produced premium speciality cheeses in the US. Together with Cypress Grove Chevre and Redwood Hill, the two companies will form a powerful network for extraordinary dairy products in California.”
Co-founders Conley and Smith continued: “Cowgirl Creamery is an excellent match for Emmi. All of the companies in its strong network in North America produce premium products and aspire to achieve the same high standards of quality and sustainability. We look forward to making an important contribution to Emmi’s future growth in North America.”
In 2015, Tomales Bay Foods and Cowgirl Creamery generated combined annual sales of over $20 million and employed 95 people.
Emmi will take full control of the companies by the end of May. Both will continue to operate as separate entities on the market with Conley and Smith remaining as managing directors, president and vice-president.
© FoodBev Media Ltd 2024