Gay Lea Foods Co-operative Limited is pleased to announce that an agreement has been reached, effective November 1, 2014, to acquire Hewitt's Dairy.
Hewitt's, a family-owned and -operated processor in Hagersville, Ontario, has been in the dairy industry for over 125 years.
"With this acquisition we continue the Ontario tradition of the family farm," says Gay Lea Foods Chair Paul Vickers. "Hewitt's Dairy, like our co-operative, began with a farmer providing fresh milk to local families, and expanded its dedication to rural communities over the course of many years."
"Hewitt's Dairy and Gay Lea Foods have two strong and rich histories in the province of Ontario," says Hewitt's owner and president, Marie Hewitt. "I know Gay Lea Foods is committed to the dream our family created; to our loyal employees; to our valued customers; to our quality dairy goat producers; and to the community in which we live."
Fresh from a country dairy, Hewitt's Dairy produces milk, cream, sour cream, cultured beverages, yogourt and a full range of dairy goat products. The processor specializes in processing and co-packing niche products for its many valued customers. It also offers a selection of more than 100 flavours of regular ice cream, sugar-free and low-fat ice cream, frozen yogourt, sherbet and goat ice cream at its popular dairy bar, located on Hwy 6 north of Hagersville.
"This acquisition will expand Gay Lea's presence in the Ontario dairy marketplace and increase the diversity of our basket of goods," says Michael Barrett, president and CEO of Gay Lea Foods. "We look forward to new opportunities as we welcome such a well-respected brand to our co-operative."
