The latest food and beverage industry news and trend analysis

Harry Davis & Company (HDC) has announced the successful sale of the former Alpenrose butter, sour cream, and ice cream mix manufacturing operations in Clackamas, Oregon. The facility has been acquired by Plant Based Innovations (PBI), a move that ensures the continuation of production at the site and preserves approximately 35 local jobs. The transaction marks a critical stabilisation of the regional dairy supply chain following Alpenrose’s earlier decision to consolidate its operations.

The Clackamas facility is a key asset in the Pacific Northwest dairy market, specialising in integrated butter and cultured product capabilities. Before the sale, HDC had been retained to market the operational facility with the contingency that equipment assets would be auctioned in May 2026 if a strategic buyer was not identified.

The acquisition by PBI removes the facility from the auction block and maintains the regional availability of Alpenrose-branded butter and sour cream. Dusty Highland, CEO of Smith Brothers and Alpenrose, confirmed that while milk production has shifted to their Kent, Washington, facility, the Clackamas plant will continue to supply the Oregon market with its signature value-added dairy products.

Expansion for Plant-Based Innovations

For the buyer, Plant Based Innovations, the acquisition represents a significant expansion of its West Coast manufacturing footprint. PBI operates a diversified co-manufacturing network with existing state-of-the-art facilities across the Midwest and East Coast.

Key strategic advantages for PBI include:

• Versatile Production Lines: The facility is equipped for both traditional dairy and potential non-dairy cultured products.

• Geographic Distribution: The Clackamas site provides a strategic anchor for nationwide distribution, complementing PBI’s existing facilities in Leominster, Massachusetts, and Fredericksburg, Iowa.

• Operational Continuity: PBI President JD Sethi noted that the acquisition reflects a commitment to maintaining the existing workforce and serving the established customer base in the community.

HDC Role in Dairy Asset Valuation

As a third-generation firm specialising in food and beverage asset solutions, Harry Davis & Company leveraged its industry-specific network to identify a buyer capable of maintaining turnkey operations. Aaron Morgenstern, President of HDC, highlighted that established businesses with integrated butter and cultured capabilities are increasingly rare in the current market.

HDC’s role in the transaction underscores a broader industry trend where specialised brokers act as "market makers," connecting distressed or consolidating assets with strategic operators to prevent the loss of production capacity. The firm’s ability to navigate the intersection of market demand and available business inventory was cited as a primary driver in delivering a solution that benefited the seller, the buyer, and the local workforce.

Economic and Community Impact

Beyond the financial terms of the deal, which remain undisclosed, the transaction provides stability for the Portland metro area's agricultural economy. By retaining 35 positions and keeping the production lines active, the deal prevents the displacement of skilled labour and ensures that regional grocers maintain access to locally produced dairy staples.