Family-owned Australian dairy producer, Brancourts, has been acquired for an undisclosed sum by Arla Foods Mayer Australia (AFMA) – the joint venture formed in 2015 between Mayers Fine Food and global dairy cooperative, Arla Foods.
Founded in 1895 by French immigrants, Brancourts is a family-owned dairy producer based in Hexham, New South Wales. Operating for over 130 years, Brancourts produces cottage cheese, sour cream and sweetened condensed milk using fresh milk supplied by Australian farms.
The company briefly went into voluntary administration in September 2019, but issued a notice of intention to declare dividends in November.
AFMA general manager, Mai Roberts, said Australians have been introduced to global brands like Lurpak and Castello through Arla Foods, and have seen the brands strengthen their market position under AFMA.
“Brancourts represents an exciting opportunity to expand into a fast-growing adjacent category, where we already have global category expertise,” said Roberts.
“We look forward to welcoming new colleagues to the business and, together, tapping into the significant long-term potential of the Australian market.”
The acquisition will support the long-term development of the category through investment in capacity expansion, product innovation and a continued focus on quality. AFMA has plans to significantly expand local production capacity at Brancourts’ Hexham dairy and accelerate growth in the Australian cottage cheese market – one of the fastest-growing cheese categories globally.
Brancourts fourth-generation owner, Julie Conradt, said finding the right successor to the family business was about shared values and a long term vision for its people and the Australian market.
“AFMA brings the ambition to invest in the future of the business, while respecting the heritage, people and local relationships that have defined Brancourts for generations,” said Conradt.
“After more than 130 years of family ownership, I am incredibly proud of the contribution our family, our team and our products have made to Australian dairy, and excited to see Brancourts’ potential continue to unfold under its new owners.”
The acquisition is expected to complete in the coming weeks.
