Gay Lea Foods buys Hamilton dairy business
Food in Canada
Business Operations Dairy acquisitionFamily-owned Salerno Dairy is latest Gay Lea acquisition
The Egger family farm, a member of the Gay Lea Foods Co-operative. 
The Egger family farm, a member of the Gay Lea Foods Co-operative.
Toronto, Ont. – Gay Lea Foods Co-operative has acquired Hamilton, Ont.-based Salerno Dairy, a family-owned manufacturer of traditional Italian cheese.
“This acquisition will allow Gay Lea to establish relationships with new customers and to build on existing partnerships with new offerings and opportunities,” says Andrew MacGillivray, president and CEO of Gay Lea Foods. “This acquisition holds great promise for the years ahead.”
“We are excited about the opportunities this expansion will bring,” adds Angelo Fidanza, CEO of Salerno. “We believe Gay Lea Foods will do an excellent job of carrying forward our heritage of quality and our dedication to fine cheese.”
Since 1962 Salerno Dairy has produced hard, soft, semi-soft and shredded cheese and cheese blends like mozzarella, mascarpone, bocconcini and pecorino under the brands Salerno and Gos & Gris. Its products are available at retail stores and through foodservice distributors.
Salerno employs 185 people at three locations: a main processing facility in Hamilton, a Gos & Gris manufacturing plant in Hannon, Ont., and a warehouse and distribution centre in Montreal.
With 1,200 members and 650 employees. Gay Lea Foods is Ontario’s largest dairy co-operative. Its sales in 2013 were $560 million.
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