News

Dean Foods files for bankruptcy, plans to sell assets

One of the nation’s largest milk processors, Dean Foods, has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy and is in advanced discussions with Dairy Farmers of America to sell most of its assets.

Deans has created a restructuring website for customers, suppliers, and vendors and says it will continue operations throughout the process.

The company says despite their best efforts to make the business more agile and cost-efficient; they continue to be challenged by continuing declines in consumer milk consumption.  Last year, Deans also lost its largest customer Walmart after they build their own milk processing plant in Indiana.

Based in Dallas, Dean Foods is the largest processor and direct-to-store distributor of fresh fluid milk and other dairy and dairy case products in the United States. The company has more than 50 national, regional and local dairy brands as well as private labels including DairyPure®, TruMoo®, Country Fresh®, Dean’s®, Friendly’s®, LAND O LAKES®* milk and cultured products, and a joint venture with Organic Valley® to distribute fresh organic products to local retailers.

Dairy Management released a statement after the announcement saying domestic sales are up and cheese and butter consumption is at an all-time high in the U.S.  DMI says with a constantly changing marketplace, U.S. dairy has and will continue to navigate the current economic environment successfully while meeting the needs of today’s consumers.

Dean Foods media relations tells Brownfield the company is not currently conducting interviews about the announcement.

Add Comment

Your email address will not be published.


 

Stay Up to Date

Subscribe for our newsletter today and receive relevant news straight to your inbox!