Foremost Farms USA, one of the largest dairy cooperatives in the nation, has sold its Golden Guernsey and Morning Glory milk bottling plants in Waukesha and De Pere, Wis. to Dean Foods Co., a Dallas-based food and beverage distributor.
The plants, employing 282 people, will continue operating and buying milk from area dairy farmers, according to Foremost Farms.
The sale includes the Golden Guernsey and Morning Glory brands. It also means that Foremost Farms will focus exclusively on its wholesale dairy products business and will no longer be a retailer.
Selling the two plants to Dean Foods was the best way of ensuring their long-term survival, according to Foremost Farms.
“As food retailers consolidate to gain market share and operating efficiencies, Foremost Farms has been challenged to efficiently supply customers who have a significant regional or national presence and prefer to have a sole supplier,” David Fuhrmann, Foremost Farms USA said in a statement.
“We are confident that these plants have a better chance for success by being part of Dean Foods, the largest processor and distributor of milk and other dairy products in the country,” he added.