Dairy Crest, which was acquired earlier this year by Montreal-based Saputo, Inc. for approximately $1.27 billion, is changing its name to Saputo Dairy UK. The move is not expected to have an impact on Dairy Crest’s consumer brands, including Cathedral City cheddar, Clover dairy spread, Country Life butter and Frylight cooking spray.
“Since the acquisition completed in April, we have received resounding feedback from our employees that now is the time to rebrand the company, marking a new phase in our development as we integrate ourselves into the Saputo family,” said Tom Atherton, president and chief operating officer of Saputo Dairy UK. “Cathedral City and our other market-leading brands have always been our prime focus, and that will remain the case. Our consumers will see no change to our much-loved products.”
Dairy Crest debuted in the 1960s when the Milk Marketing Board (M.M.B.) began selling cheese and butter under the Dairy Crest name. Then, in the 1980s, the M.M.B.’s milk processing operation was spun off into a separate division called Dairy Crest, which was the buyer of last resort for all surplus raw milk. In 2015, the company sold its Dairies business, marking the end of the company’s association with liquid milk. In April, Saputo acquired Dairy Crest.
Saputo produces, markets and distributes a wide array of dairy products, including cheese, fluid milk, extended shelf-life milk and cream products, cultured products and dairy ingredients. Saputo is the largest cheese manufacturer and the leading fluid milk and cream processor in Canada, the top dairy processor in Australia and the second largest in Argentina. In the United States, Saputo ranks among the top three cheese producers and is one of the largest producers of extended shelf-life and cultured dairy products.
By Eric Schroeder
Source: Food Business News
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