Yeo Valley buys The Collective in the UK
Credit: Yeo Valley
Yeo Valley Production has acquired Epicurean Dairy (UK) and The Collective brand in the UK. This acquisition brings together the broad manufacturing capabilities of Yeo Valley Production and the innovative, taste-led ranges for which The Collective is renowned, the companies say.
Yeo Valley Production 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 yogurt to the UK since 2011.
Commenting on the transaction, Sarah Smart, CEO at The Collective UK says, “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.
“I would like to thank all who have been on the journey with us to date including our loyal consumers, suppliers, customers and especially our incredible team who have passionately been the dairy shaker uppers.
“I look forward to The Collective building on this success further and continuing to deliver more great tasting innovative dairy to British fridges.”
Rob Sexton, CEO at Yeo Valley Production Limited adds: “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.”
British law firm Thomson Snell & Passmore advised private equity backed, New Zealand-based, Epicurean Dairy Holdings on the sale.
