The dairy company, which started as a small milk plant behind the founder Charles Catalana’s home, will continue to operate under its current name and the 180 employees who work for the dairy will remain employed.
«It is a great new chapter for our business,» said Cumberland Dairy President Carmine Catalana IV, a third-generation principal. «It is not something that we needed to do. It was something that we felt was the right thing to do for the company. We get to turn the page on the company’s history, and we get to continue to lead it because of the direction we will be taking it.»
Catalana IV said the decision to become part of Dairy Farmers of America was not easy. He also said he and his brothers made this decision together to give the dairy a stronger position for the long-term success of Cumberland Dairy.
«DFA has been looking at opportunities to enter the ESL (extended shelf life) business, and the Catalana family has built a strong reputation for providing quality products and service to a variety of customers in the industry,» said DFA Communications Director Kristen Coady. «Additionally, their commitments to their employee family and community, along with their core values, align well with our organization.»
The Catalana family will continue to manage the day-to-day operations of the business and its employees. He also stated that the company has plans to expand its operations with the backing of DFA.
«One of our employees asked where the bad news is in this deal and I have not found it yet,» Catalana IV said. «This is a very exciting time for the entire Cumberland Dairy family and we look forward to the next chapter with DFA.»
