Emmi is to acquire a 60% stake in Dutch dairy producer Bettinehoeve, the largest producer of fresh and ripened goat’s cheese in the Benelux region.
The Swiss company called goat’s milk products one of “the most attractive niches in the international dairy industry” and added that the deal would allow it to strengthen its presence in “this attractive growth area”.
Emmi entered the international market for goat’s milk products in summer 2010 with its acquisition of US goat’s cheese producer Cypress Grove Chevre. It has gradually expanded its activities in the segment in recent years – such as in 2013 through the acquisition of a 70% stake in Dutch dairy AVH, which specialises in the export of goat’s and sheep’s milk products; and most recently in December with the purchase of US-based Redwood Hill Farm & Creamery.
Bettinehove managing director Sybren Ewijk said: “This partnership offers great synergies and growth opportunities, for example by increasing the distribution of the Bettine ranges through the sales network Emmi has in Europe and overseas.
“I am confident that Emmi is the right decision for Bettinehoeve. We have worked together with Emmi over the past three years in the joint venture that we share… Emmi is a reliable partner. In addition, they have encouraged us to continue on our successful path.”
Bettinehoeve’s goat’s milk products are largely distributed under its Bettine brand in the Netherlands, where it generates just under 50% of sales – but it also exports to the UK, Germany, France, Belgium and the Nordics.
Urs Riedener, CEO of the Emmi Group, added: “Emmi now has a tried-and-tested network of firms successfully operating in the premium and specialities markets. We have shown our ability to do a particularly good job of integrating pioneering family-owned enterprises into the Emmi Group over the long term. Maintaining the culture specific to a firm helps to further reinforce its success on the market.”
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