Horizon Family Brands has acquired Maple Hill Creamery, an organic dairy company, to solidify its position in the better-for-you food and beverage market. The financial details of the transaction were not disclosed.
Founded in 2009 and based in New York, Maple Hill is known for its use of regenerative agriculture practices. Horizon refers to Maple Hill as the “original 100% grass-fed organic dairy company.” In addition to milk, Maple Hill offers a range of products including kefir, greek yogurt, butter, and cream-on-top yogurt.
This acquisition is a significant move for Horizon following its announcement earlier this year to expand its portfolio with a focus on better-for-you brands. In April 2024, private equity firm Platinum Equity acquired the Horizon Organic and Wallaby brands from Danone, rebranding the business as Horizon Family Brands to signal its broader ambitions beyond organic dairy.
The partnership between Horizon and Maple Hill is expected to enhance their presence across retail channels and streamline their supply chain operations. It also opens up opportunities for both companies to drive innovation and product development in the organic dairy sector.
As of 2023, Maple Hill held the No. 2 position in the fluid milk segment with reported revenue of approximately $25 million, according to President and CFO James Hau.
Tyler Holm, CEO of Horizon Family Brands, expressed enthusiasm about the acquisition, stating, “This acquisition represents an exciting step forward for Horizon as we continue to advance our strategic objectives and invest in better-for-you brands. Maple Hill’s expertise in grass-fed organic dairy and impressive growth align well with Horizon’s vision for the future.”
Horizon’s long-term goal is to acquire brands similar to Horizon Organic and Wallaby over the next three to five years. The acquisition of Maple Hill positions the company to compete with industry giants like Danone and Lifeway by capitalizing on the growing demand for better-for-you products in categories like yogurt and kefir.
In a recent development, Horizon appointed Andrew Springate, former Chief Marketing Officer of Keurig Dr Pepper, as its new CMO to drive accelerated brand growth.