Ehrmann Commonwealth Dairy
| Company type | Subsidiary |
|---|---|
| Industry | Dairy products |
| Founded | 2008 |
| Founder | Thomas Moffit, Benjamin Johnson |
| Headquarters | Brattleboro , United States |
| Products | Yogurt, quarg (quark), dairy products |
Number of employees | Over 140 (as of 2013) |
| Parent | Lactalis US Yogurt Holding, Inc. |
Commonwealth Dairy, LLC, previously known as Ehrmann Commonwealth Dairy, LLC, is a Vermont-based manufacturer specializing in yogurt and related dairy products within its U.S. operations. The company markets products under its proprietary brand and supplies various retailers, functioning as a fully owned subsidiary of Lactalis US Yogurt Holding, Inc.
History
The enterprise was established by Thomas Moffit and Benjamin Johnson after recognizing significant demand for yogurt in the food service industry. Beginning in 2008, they pursued strategic partners and capital investment. In September 2009, a joint venture was formed with Ehrmann. By March 2010, with financial backing from Ehrmann, combined with state and federal support and Vermont tax incentives, Commonwealth Dairy commenced construction of a $32 million processing facility located in Brattleboro, Vermont. Production operations started in March 2011.
In November 2012, the company initiated a $12 million expansion project at its Brattleboro site, enlarging the facility by 23,000 square feet from the original 39,000 square feet. This expansion was finalized in June 2013 and resulted in growing the employee base from 110 to over 140 staff members. The projected revenue for that year was approximately $70 million.
A second manufacturing plant named Ehrmann Arizona Dairy, LLC was inaugurated in October 2013 in Casa Grande, Arizona. This $50 million investment created around 110 jobs and primarily serves markets along the West Coast, with plans to potentially extend distribution into central U.S. regions.
In December 2016, Commonwealth Dairy revealed a $2 million initiative to move its administrative functions into a new headquarters building within Brattleboro. This relocation aimed to free up space for expanded production capabilities. The project received partial funding from public sources, including $1 million from the Windham County Economic Development program alongside additional state and local incentives.
In July 2019, the French multinational Groupe Lactalis completed the acquisition of Ehrmann Commonwealth Dairy and Ehrmann Arizona Dairy. Following this transaction, the companies were rebranded as Commonwealth Dairy, LLC and Casa Grande Dairy Products, LLC respectively.
Products
Commonwealth Dairy, LLC together with Casa Grande Dairy Products, LLC manufacture yogurt, quarg (quark), and various other dairy items under their proprietary labels Green Mountain Creamery, Liebe, and Yo Yummy. They also produce private label yogurt products for retail customers and provide contract manufacturing services for brands without their own production facilities. In 2016, the companies produced an estimated volume of yogurt. Among their accolades, Green Mountain Creamery’s vanilla Greek yogurt secured first place at the 2012 World Dairy Expo Dairy Product Championship. Additionally, their maple Greek yogurt earned recognition as the most innovative product by the International Dairy Food Association in 2013.