Lactalis Group, the world's leading dairy group, announced that its US affiliate has completed its previously announced acquisition of The Kraft Heinz Company’s natural, specialty and certain other cheese businesses in the United States, grated cheese business in Canada and entire international cheese business outside the United States and Canada. The companies entered into a definitive agreement on September 15, 2020.
With this acquisition, Lactalis acquires a portfolio of iconic cheese brands that includes Cracker Barrel®, Breakstone’s®, Knudsen®, Hoffman’s® and a perpetual license for the use of the Kraft® brand in natural, grated and international cheeses. Lactalis also acquires the Cheez Whiz® brand outside the United States, Canada, Mexico, Venezuela and the Philippines and a license for the use of the Velveeta® brand in natural and international cheeses. The acquisition includes approximately 750 employees and three production facilities located in Tulare, Calif., Walton, N.Y. and Wausau, Wisc.
The acquired businesses in the United States will operate as Lactalis Heritage Dairy, a newly formed division of Lactalis based in Chicago. Lactalis will invest significant resources in Lactalis Heritage Dairy employees and plants to continue growing this new business. The acquired businesses located outside of the United States will be integrated into existing Lactalis operations in countries where they currently reside.
