Grupo Lala is a Mexican food processing company founded in 1949 in Torreón, Coahuila. The company is headquartered in Gómez Palacio, Durango. Together with its acquisition of Dairy Farmers of America subsidiary National Dairy (of which it owns 87.5%) is one of the largest dairy companies in the world.

History The company was founded in 1949 in Torreón, Coahuila. It expanded into the United States in 2008, acquiring a manufacturing plant in Omaha, Nebraska, and in 2009, LALA acquired National Dairy, Farmland Dairies and Promised Land. The company's Chairman is Eduardo Tricio Haro and the CEO is Francisco Camacho Beltrán (former Danone Senior Executive). LALA is now the largest dairy company in Latin America. The company name makes reference to its origin "La Laguna", a region located in Northern Mexico where the Mayran Lagoon is located.

Grupo Lala was listed 12th in Dairy Foods magazine's list of the top 100 North American dairies. It was the only dairy from Mexico to be listed in the top 100."Nestle, Dean, Saputo are North America’s largest dairies". Dairy Foods. August 17, 2015.

Grupo Lala purchased National Dairy from Dairy Farmers of America, Inc. (DFA), in 2009."GRUPO LALA Purchases National Dairy from DFA". May 8, 2009. Dairy Farmers of America. (press release)

In 2009, Grupo Lala purchased National Dairy Holdings L.P. from the Dairy Farmers of America. In 2011, Grupo Lala spun off its American operations under the name Laguna Dairy (now Borden Milk Products). In 2016, Grupo Lala reacquired three plants from Laguna Dairy and reentered the United States.

In November 2014, Grupo Lala entered the processed meat segment with the introduction of Nutri Deli, this was followed by Lala Plenia in 2021.

In August 2017, Grupo Lala agreed to acquire Brazilian dairy firm Vigor, and its stake in Itambé for BRL 5.725 billion (US$1.84 billion).

Marketing Yogurting campaign

In early 2016, LALA U.S. launched its first nationwide advertising campaign to promote its drinkable yogurt smoothie products. The campaign uses the hashtag "#yogurting" in television and internet ads, as well as in social media."Borden's LALA Expands Nationally With First-Ever Yogurt Smoothie Ad Campaign #Yogurting". Feb 12, 2016. LALAFoods. (press release)

The launch included the introduction of LALA Greek Yogurt Smoothies plus three new LALA Yogurt Smoothie flavors: cherry vanilla, pomegranate blueberry and vanilla almond cereal. That's in addition to the LALA Yogurt Smoothies 14 original flavors.Demetrakakes, Pan. "Drinkable Yogurt Smooths Borden's Path". Retail Leader. March 2016.

LALA Yogurt Smoothies are available at various retailers across the country including Walmart, Albertson's Safeway, Publix, HEB, ShopRite and others."With new products and flavors, LaLa expands its drinkable yogurts". Dairy Foods. April 28, 2016. LALA has targeted a demographic called "Shapers On the Go" who value health and convenience. About 60% of the target audience is made up of millennials.Buss, Dale. "Yogurting on the Go: 5 Questions with LALA Director of Marketing Desiree Johnson". brandchannel.com. March 18, 2016.

On Feb. 23, 2016, LALA Yogurt Smoothies were featured as the sponsor of a comedy sketch on Jimmy Kimmel Live, in which Jimmy's sidekick Guillermo Rodriguez is tricked into jumping over a pit of live snakes.

On March 4, 2016, LALA Yogurt Smoothies were the commercial sponsors of another well-received comedy skit, this time on Conan featuring Conan's prop Master Bill Tull.

LALA was also the featured sponsor for a game sketch called "View Your Tune" in March on ABC's The VIew. The segment was hosted by Paul Shaffer.

Brands

Lala Yomi Lala Peti Zoo Bio4 Lalacult Nutri NutriDeli Los Volcanes Monarca Mileche PleniaBoreal Break Bio Balance Siluette Natural'es Las Puentes Borden Bell (Lala has a minority stake) Vigor United StatesBorden (Texas, Louisiana) Coburg Dairy (South Carolina) Cream O'Weber (Utah) Dairy Fresh (Louisiana, Alabama, Mississippi) Dairymens (Ohio) Farmland (New Jersey) Clinton Special Request Welsh FarmsFlav-O-Rich (Kentucky) Gilsa Dairy (Nebraska) Frusion La Creme Goldenrod (Kentucky) Meyer Dairy (Cincinnati) Promised Land (Texas) Sinton's (Colorado) Velda Farms (Florida)

Factories

Tijuana, Baja California Torreón, Coahuila Monterrey, Nuevo León

Guadalajara, Jalisco Mexico City Irapuato, Guanajuato

Mazatlán, Sinaloa Veracruz, Veracruz Acapulco, Guerrero

References 10. http://www.foodprocessing.com/articles/2017/top-food-companies/?show=all

External links

Lala US website