Swiss dairy Emmi has taken full control of Canadian importer JL Freeman’s cheese business in a move that the group said enhances its position in North America and secures market access.
Emmi said: “The deal allows Emmi to establish another important base in North America that will build on its strong position in the US and existing presence in Canada. With this acquisition, the company is securing direct access to an interesting market, extending the value chain of its speciality cheese exports to Canada and creating potential for the export of additional products from the Emmi Group.”
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JL Freeman Ltd Partnership Cheese Import and Distribution Operation, the cheese business of JL Freeman, generates annual sales of around C$38m (US$32m). The group currently imports cheeses from Switzerland, Italy and France.
JL Freeman will continue to operate independently and under the leadership of its current management, Emmi.
Emmi said it has “honed its strategy” in North America, making “more targeted” use of resources to expand in speciality cheese. The US is Emmi’s largest international market where it operates Emmi Roth USA and Cypress Grove Chevre. The Swiss cheese maker said the JL Freeman acquisition “complemented” its existing North American businesses.
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