Suiza Foods and Dairy Farmers of America Form Joint Venture

Suiza Foods Corporation has formed a joint venture with Dairy Farmers of America (DFA) pursuant to which the northeastern dairy operations of the two entities have been combined to form a business having revenues of approximately $1.2 billion.

The joint venture includes Suiza's Garelick Farms business and DFA's Tuscan/Lehigh dairy operations. Suiza owns a 75% interest in the joint venture and will act as manager. DFA owns the remaining 25% interest.

The businesses of Suiza contributed to the joint venture include Garelick Farms' operations in Massachusetts, New York and New Jersey, West Lynn Creamery in Massachusetts, Fairdale Farms in Vermont, Grant's Dairy in Maine and Miscoe Springs in Massachusetts.

Gregg Engles, Suiza's chairman and CEO, commented, "This venture enables us to greatly expand our already significant presence in the Northeast and broadens our reach to additional markets in the Atlantic coast states."

Suiza Foods is a Dallas-based company with leading positions in the dairy and consumer goods packaging industries. Its principal holdings are in fluid dairy processing, refrigerated, shelf-stable and frozen dairy case products, and consumer goods packaging.

DFA is a national dairy cooperative that owns interests in dairy processors throughout the country.