Suiza Acquires Denver's Robinson Dairy

Looks like another acquisition for Dallas-based global dairy mover-shaker, Suiza Foods Corp. On Monday, Suiza announced the acquisition of Robinson Dairy Inc., a full-line manufacturer and distributor of dairy products based in Denver. Robinson has annual sales of approximately $55 million and serves a wide variety of customers primarily in Colorado.

Gregg Engles, Suiza's president and CEO called the dairy's founder John Robinson "an impressive operator" who will serve as president and CEO. Dick and Ed Robinson will serve as co-chairmen of the new division. Engles added that the Colorado market is "rapidly growing" and that the acquisition is "an important step toward our goal of increasing the geographic reach of our distribution network."

Robinson has grown steadily. Having a new parent with deep pockets will give the company "the national support to aggressively grow and broaden our business," said John Robinson.

According to a UPI report, Robinson sold the dairy at this time because "by doing it now he and his brother, Eddie, can avoid estate-tax problems that would have occurred if the dairy was sold after their deaths."

Robinson started 114 years ago as a one-cow dairy on the outskirts of Denver. The brand name will remain the same, and official word is that there are no plans for layoffs or other changes in management.

Suiza now has dairy products under national brands including: International Delight, Second Nature, Naturally Yours and Mocha Mix. Regional brands include Broughton, Country Fresh, Dairymens, Lehigh Valley Farms, Model, Natural by Garelick Farms, Suiza, Louis Trauth, Tuscan, Velda Farms and West Lynn Creamery. The company is also partnered and has licensing regional rights to manufacturer and distribute Lactaid, Flav-O-Rich and Pet brands.

Edited by Bob Sperber