Arla Foods Acquires Fonterra’s Stake in Joint Venture

Arla Foods now has a licence giving it full rights to the Anchor brand for all dairy categories in the UK and for packet butter and aerosol cream in Europe.

20 Nov 2009 --- Following a decision by Fonterra to dispose of its minority interest in a joint venture with Arla Foods amba, Arla, the majority stakeholder, has acquired the 25 per cent share that it did not already own.

Arla Foods now has a licence giving it full rights to the Anchor brand for all dairy categories in the UK and for packet butter and aerosol cream in Europe.  An agreement has also been put in place for Arla to be supplied with Fonterra bulk butter, for the Anchor brand and own label products in the UK.

Commenting on the decision, Arla Foods UK chief executive, Peter Lauritzen, comments: “Anchor is a very strong, successful, brand in the UK and it is a good business in which to invest.  The butter, spreads and margarine market is a key category for Arla and this is a logical step for us to take this brand forward and develop it further in the UK.”