USA – Dairy giant Dean Foods company, created last year by Suiza Foods’ takeover of Dean Foods Company, has today posted strong results for 2001.

The company’s net sales for the year to 31 December were $6.2 billion (7.1 billion euro), up 8.2% on the same period in 2000. For the fourth quarter of 2001, the company’s sales were 1.9 billion euro, up 12.4% on that same period in 2000.

The company’s dairy division, by far its largest business, saw revenue for 2001 8.8% up on 2000 at just over 5.7 billion euro.

In a statement the company said that the growth was primarily due to an increase in raw milk costs Suiza’s takeover of Dean during the final quarter. Dean Foods ceo Greg Engles said: “Our operating units performed very well in spite of an exceptionally difficult operating environment.”