Dean Foods to consolidate branded businesses

DALLAS (AP) _ Executives of dairy processor Dean Foods Co. say they plan to combine three branded businesses in a Colorado base of operations. <br/><br/>Dallas-based Dean's White Wave, Horizon Organic

Wednesday, August 4th 2004, 9:34 am

By: News On 6

DALLAS (AP) _ Executives of dairy processor Dean Foods Co. say they plan to combine three branded businesses in a Colorado base of operations.

Dallas-based Dean's White Wave, Horizon Organic and the Dean National Brand Group will be headquartered in the Boulder, Colo., area, where they are expected to generate about $1.1 billion in revenue this year, the company said Tuesday.

The consolidation was expected to be finalized by late 2005.

Steve Demos, White Wave's founder and president, will become president of the new company, the statement said, and will continue to report to Gregg Engles, chairman and chief executive officer of Dean Foods.

Demos founded White Wave in 1977. Products include White Wave's cultured soy and tofu products.

Colorado-based Horizon markets organic foods in the United States.

Dean also produces other company-branded and private label dairy products such as milk and milk-based beverages, ice cream, coffee creamers and other food products including pickles and juice drinks.