Wells’ Dairy officials have finalized plans to focus solely on the business of making and selling ice cream and frozen novelties. As part of the plan, the company based in LeMars in northwest Iowa, is getting out of the yogurt business.
Wells’ spokesperson Dave Smetter says they’ve sold their Omaha yogurt facility to Grupo LALA of Torreon, Mexico. Smetter says the licensing agreement will allow Grupo LALA to market Blue Bunny brand yogurt for up four years. Last month, Wells’ Dairy sold it’s milk plant in LeMars to Dean Foods of Dallas, Texas. There are 115 employees at the Omaha yogurt facility, which Wells’ has owned since 1982.
"The new buyer’s expected to extend offers to all the employees existing at the plant in Omaha," Smetter said. Grupo LALA is the largest dairy company in Mexico and Latin America, and has sold it’s products in the U.S. since 2005. According to Smetter, Wells’ was looking for a buyer that would grow the business.
"They really are much like Wells’ Dairy," Smetter explains, "both companies have shared values in a commitment to produce and market world class dairy products, as well as treating all employees with the utmost respect. So, we feel very confident in LALA’s ability to continue to grow the business." By exiting the fresh dairy business, Smetter says Wells’ can now focus on it’s goal of becoming a top 3 national brand. Wells’ Dairy is Plymouth County’s largest employer.