Mon, 17 Mar 2025 | BUSINESS SALE
Private equity-backed Epicurean Dairy Holdings has sold Epicurean Dairy (UK) and The Collective brand in the UK to Somerset-based Yeo Valley Production.
Yeo Valley Production, which employs more than 1,700 people across five sites in Somerset and Devon, has been producing dairy in the UK since 1976. It is independently owned by the Mead family and its employees in an Employee Benefit Trust.
The company produces yogurt, cream, ice cream, and soup under the Yeo Valley Organic brand, with additional brands Tideford, Ubley, and now The Collective.
The Collective, which began in New Zealand and expanded to the UK in 2011, has been renowned for delivering premium yoghurt products to the market. In 2018, The Collective sold a 39% stake to Auckland-based private-equity fund Pencarrow, marking its first equity investment.
Sarah Smart, chief executive at The Collective UK, said: "Yeo Valley Production is a long-time partner of The Collective and has played a key role in the brand's success over the years. The alignment of our businesses’ values and visions to deliver natural, healthy, great-tasting and sustainable food makes Yeo Valley the perfect home for the next stage of The Collective's growth."
Rob Sexton, chief executive at Yeo Valley Production Limited, added: "We are delighted to welcome The Collective into the Yeo Valley family. The brand’s reputation for market-leading taste and its commitment to sustainability make it a perfect fit. Together, we will drive growth and continue to deliver great-tasting dairy to British consumers."
Law firm Thomson Snell & Passmore advised Epicurean Dairy Holdings on the sale.
Faye Cook, corporate/M&A partner at Thomson Snell & Passmore, led the transaction team. She said: "This deal highlights the strength of our core Corporate/M&A team and our wider commercial group. We leveraged our expertise in cross-border, private equity-backed transactions to secure a successful outcome for our client. It was a pleasure to work with The Collective team and Yeo Valley, and we look forward to seeing their shared vision come to fruition.”
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