Smith Brothers Farms Acquires Alpenrose Dairy

Smith Brothers Farms Acquires Alpenrose Dairy; Strengthens Northwest Dairy Production

KENT, WA, AUGUST 16, 2019—Smith Brothers Farms announced its plans to acquire Alpenrose Dairy earlier today. Smith Brothers, based in Kent, WA will attain the Alpenrose dairy business, bringing together two century-old, family dairies with historical ties to their communities and beloved, well-established brands. The acquisition broadens Smith Brothers Farms’ dairy production capabilities in the Northwest and enhanced service to its customers. 

“Today’s news strengthens the ability of two mid-sized dairies to compete and grow in a competitive dairy industry,” says Smith Brothers Farms CEO Dustin Highland. “It provides us new opportunities for market expansion, while preserving and strengthening the beloved Alpenrose brand. Our home delivery, food service and wholesale business in Seattle has been rapidly growing over the last five years. Alpenrose offers us the opportunity to create further value across the entire Northwest market.”

“We have found a like-minded collaborator with Smith Brothers Farms,” says Rod Birkland, president of Alpenrose Dairy. “During our discussions, we learned how much we both care about our employees, quality, customer service, our communities and the Pacific Northwest dairy farmers and producers.”

Though neither company is releasing financial details of the acquisition, Smith Brothers Farms has indicated that partners and customers of their products will see little immediate change in the way both dairies operate.  “Our goal is to maintain business continuity, with little to no impact to customers of both companies,” says Highland.

Current Alpenrose owners will maintain control of 50-plus acres of land on Shattuck Road in Portland. The land is not part of the Smith Brothers Farms acquisition, except for a lease agreement on the part of the property where dairy operations are located. 

Both companies were founded as family-owned dairies more than a century ago, producing high quality dairy products sourced from Northwest farms. Their primary difference is in distribution channels. Alpenrose historically focused on retail and food service. Smith Brothers Farms is primarily known for home delivery in the Puget Sound area. The combined businesses will preserve and expand services and product availability throughout the region.

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Smith Brothers Farms

Founded in 1920, Smith Brothers Farms is a family-owned and operated dairy, headquartered in Kent, WA. Smith Brothers Farms is one of the largest independent dairies in the region, processing milk and other fresh dairy products for schools, businesses and homes throughout the greater Puget Sound area. As the “Milkman to the Puget Sound,” Smith Brothers Farms delivers the freshest milk and select Northwest-inspired essentials and specialty foods to more than 50,000 customers every week. More information is available at www.smithbrothersfarms.com.

Alpenrose Dairy

The history of Alpenrose Dairy dates to 1891 when Swiss born Florian Cadonau began delivering milk in three-gallon cans by horse-drawn wagon from their dairy farm in southwest Portland to customers throughout the city. More than one hundred years later, Alpenrose is led by Rod Birkland, providing local families with the finest and freshest local dairy products and maintaining the family’s calcium-rich heritage. More information is available at www.alpenrose.com.