Mexican dairy company, Grupo LALA, has announced it will be acquiring certain assets related to Laguna Dairy’s branded business in the U.S. for $246 million in an all-cash transaction. The company touts this acquisition as part of Grupo LALA’s overall strategy of expanding its value-added branded categories in high-growth markets in the Americas.
“This acquisition represents a unique opportunity to enter high growth dairy categories in a key market in the Americas,” shared Scot Rank, Grupo LALA’s CEO. “Through this transaction we are obtaining modern production facilities, growing businesses in value added categories, and a local platform for future growth in the world's largest dairy market.”
According to a press release, Laguna Dairy’s branded business is set to sell approximately $200 million worth of product in 2016, and has achieved double digit growth for the past two years. The acquisition includes the purchase of three production plants and more than five brands, providing a local platform to expand the presence of LALA’s authentic Mexican product line in the growing U.S. Hispanic segment.
Grupo LALA’s branded portfolio includes the following:
While the transaction has been approved by Grupo LALA’s independent Audit Committee and Board of Directors, it is still subject to customary closing conditions and regulatory clearances. J.P. Morgan is acting as financial advisor, with the sole purpose of rendering a fairness opinion in connection with the transaction.
