Mar 3, 2025
MISSISSAUGA, Ontario – Monday, March 3, 2025 – Gay Lea Foods today announced it has completed the sale of Hewitt’s Dairy Limited, located in Hagersville, Ontario, to Mississauga, Ontario-based Dairy Fountain Inc.
“This community-oriented sale is a terrific outcome for all parties,” said Suzanna Dalrymple, president and CEO, Gay Lea Foods. “A huge thank you to the teams from Hewitt’s and Dairy Fountain, who worked so diligently, and with a co-operative mindset, to make this sale a reality.”
Operations at both the Hewitt’s processing facility and Hewitt’s Dairy Bar will continue uninterrupted. Employees have been offered the opportunity to continue in the same or comparable roles with new ownership.
All told, the transaction will result in increased investment in Ontario dairy processing, see the Hagersville community keep a major employer and its beloved dairy bar, and allow Gay Lea Foods to reinvest the proceeds of the sale in its core business.
“We are pleased to complete this acquisition and look forward to investing in Hewitt’s Dairy and playing a meaningful role as members of the Hagersville community,” said Ahmet Ilkmen, managing partner, Dairy Fountain. “Acquiring Hewitt’s Dairy will significantly boost Dairy Fountain’s production capacity – allowing us to produce more of the products our customers love.”
Dairy Fountain is a specialty dairy processor, making a wide range of products, including kefir, ayran (drinkable yogurt), sour cream and different types of yogurts. Dairy Fountain intends to invest in the future growth of Hewitt’s Dairy, which will continue to operate in Hagersville.
Discussions about the further sale of the dairy bar, located on Highway 6 north of Hagersville, are on hold, and Dairy Fountain is committed to continuing operations at the popular roadside stop.
The financial terms of the private sale will not be disclosed.
About Gay Lea Foods
Gay Lea Foods is a leading Canadian co-operative renowned for its community-focused values and high quality, innovative, and award-winning dairy and food products. With members on 1,300 dairy farms across Ontario and Manitoba, our farmers, shareholders and employees have collaborated for more than 65 years to enrich communities co-operatively, ensuring the value our business creates flows to the members of our co-operative, our employees and the communities we touch.
About Dairy Fountain
Dairy Fountain is passionate about providing one-on-one service and delivering high-quality dairy products to the food service and retail industries. Established in 2009, Dairy Fountain has grown into one of Canada’s leading suppliers of specialty dairy products. Operating under its flagship brand, Elegant, Dairy Fountain sells its products coast to coast in Canada and also produces private label products for various companies. The company currently operates from a federally registered plant with SQF certification, focusing on quality, innovation, and tailored solutions for customers. Dairy Fountain aims to expand into North America in the near future.
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Media Contacts:
Robin Redstone, Senior Communications Manager
Gay Lea Foods
communications@gayleafoods.com
(905) 399-0403
Ahmet Ilkmen, Managing Partner
Dairy Fountain
ailkmen@dairyfountain.com
(613) 851-7838
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