Yeo Valley Production Limited has acquired Epicurean Dairy (UK) Limited and The Collective brand in the UK in a move seen by commentators as part of a growing consolidation trend in the yoghurt sector, and for Yeo Valley to further position itself at the premium end of the category.
Yeo Valley Production Limited employs over 1,700 across five sites in Somerset and Devon. The company is independently owned by the Mead family alongside its employees in an Employee Benefit Trust and has been producing dairy in the UK since 1976. The Collective was originally started in New Zealand by two entrepreneurial chefs and has been bringing great tasting yoghurt to the UK since 2011.
Commenting on the transaction, Sarah Smart, CEO at The Collective UK said: “Yeo Valley Production is a long-time partner of The Collective and has been an integral part of the brand’s growth journey and success over the years. The close alignment of the businesses values and visions to deliver natural, healthy, great tasting and sustainable food that is better for people and planet, makes Yeo Valley the perfect home for the next stage of The Collective’s growth.
Rob Sexton, CEO at Yeo Valley Production Limited added: “We are delighted to welcome The Collective to the Yeo Valley Production family. The Collective brand is renowned for never compromising on the quality and market-leading taste of its products. Add this to the values of the business, encapsulated in its B-Corp accreditation, and we see this as a perfect fit with Yeo Valley Production. This agreement will ensure The Collective brand continues to deliver taste-led innovation and great value. Together, we have ambitious plans to drive growth of delicious British dairy. It’s an exciting new chapter for us all.”
Law firm Thomson Snell & Passmore advised private equity backed, New Zealand-based, Epicurean Dairy Holdings Limited on the sale. Faye Cook, Partner at the firm, said: “This was a great deal to have advised on. We were able to harness our previous expertise in PE backed, cross border transactions to bring a successful outcome for the client. It was a pleasure to work with The Collective team on the deal, and to work with Spayne Lindsay again on another transaction. Yeo Valley and The Collective clearly share many of the same values and have a great vision for future growth. We look forward to seeing them flourish together.
Main image: Courtesy of Yeo Valley (via social media)