Danone Stirring Things Up in the Dairy Industry

Danone’s $10 billion acquisition of soy milk producer WhiteWave Foods became final this week. Under its new name, DanoneWave, it becomes the country’s largest dairy entity, outside of cheese, and the largest public-benefit corporation in the U.S.

The company will have more than $6 billion in revenue and 6,000 employees, according to the company press release, and will split its headquarters between White Plains and Broomfield, Colorado. The company’s leadership said that as a public-benefit corporation, DanoneWave must be “managed in a way that balances shareholders’ financial interests and the benefits it brings to people, the planet and broader society.’’

Danone’s President, USA Yogurt, Sergio Fuster may be able to shed some light on these recent developments as well as Danone’s recent move to Bloomingdale Road when he speaks at the People’s United Bank Leadership Conversation Series next Tuesday. Fuster will be the guest speaker at the BCW’s highly informative and insightful speaking series.

Danone recently announced that the company is planning to move its offices and accessory food laboratory from its current location to a former retail space at 100 Bloomingdale Road in downtown White Plains.

“We are so fortunate to have this very sought-after speaker at a time when Danone is very much in the news and on the verge of exciting new development both here in White Plains and worldwide,’’ said Marsha Gordon, President and CEO of the Business Council of Westchester. “It promises to be a very stimulating evening.’’

For more information about the program being held on Tuesday from 4:30-6:30 p.m. at the Castle Hotel and Spa in Tarrytown, visit thebcw.org.