Davenport, IA – Swiss Valley Farms Cooperative has acquired Faribault Dairy Co., Inc., located in Faribault, MN. 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. Amablu, along with its premium version, Amablu St. Pete’s Select, is a cave-aged Blue cheese with a strong retail presence in the U.S.
“This acquisition marks a significant step in our efforts to grow in the Blue cheese category,” said Don Boelens, CEO of 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, WI.
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.
Using the resources of Faribault, there are now new opportunities for Swiss Valley to age and distribute cheeses. The first is the use of sandstone caves, currently used by Faribault to age its Amablu brand cheeses. The second is the capability for online orders and shipment of cheeses via cheesecave.net, an online store developed by Faribault to distribute cheeses and cheese gift packages nationwide. The online store also has a brick and mortar retail counterpart in Faribault, MN.
The acquisition is part of a long-term plan to expand the focus on retail branded cheeses, including Swiss Valley’s Mindoro brand. “This decision confirms both organizations’ commitment to the growing artisanal blue cheese market,” said Boelens. Jirik agrees. “Working together to build brand equity in these quality products is the ultimate goal,” he said.
Source: Swiss Valley Farms
