Swiss Valley Farms Cooperative has acquired Faribault Dairy Co., Inc., located in Faribault, Minn. The sale includes the ownership of Faribault’s Blue cheese manufacturing facility as well as Faribault’s line of branded cheeses, the most popular of which is Amablu, along with its premium version, Amablu St. Pete’s Select, which is a cave-aged Blue cheese.
“This acquisition marks a significant step in our efforts to grow in the Blue cheese category,” said Don Boelens, chief executive officer of Davenport, Iowa-based Swiss Valley Farms.
The opportunity will provide Swiss Valley with yet another safe and secure market for its members’ milk supply while simultaneously increasing Blue cheese manufacturing capacity, Boelens says.The Faribault facility will allow for an immediate increase in production and serve as an excellent companion operation to Swiss Valley’s other Blue cheese plant in Mindoro, Wis.
The sale brings together the history, talent and resources of two of America’s most experienced blue cheesemakers.
“It promises to be a good marriage,” said Jeff Jirik, one of the owners of Faribault Dairy Co. Jirik, who will take on his new role as vice president, Blue cheese division, believes becoming part of the Swiss Valley Farms family is the best way to continue the legacy of the Amablu brand, known as America’s First Blue Cheese.
“This is great for the Faribault community, our employees and our long-term stability,” said Jirik, noting all former employees will be retained.
Source: Dairy Foods