Broomfield-based WhiteWave Foods Co., a subsidiary of Dean Foods Co., has agreed to sell its tofu business to Hain Celestial Group Inc., a Melville, N.Y.-based natural and organic food company.
The purchase price for the deal, announced Wednesday, was not disclosed.
The products – which include baked and grilled tofu – are sold under the brand names TofuTown and WhiteWave and are made in Boulder.
Hain Celestial, which plans to continue to manufacture the products locally, said the two units generated roughly $8 million in sales in the last fiscal year.
“Tofu is a new category for us and complements our existing soy-protein, meat-alternative category,” said Hain Celestial spokesman Mary Anthes. “It increases our shelf presence and strength at retail.”
WhiteWave spokeswoman Molly Keveney said all 47 employees in the tofu operations will be extended employment offers with Hain Celestial as part of the acquisition agreement.
“Our strategic focus is on dairy case products, beverages and coffee creamers, so our plan is to focus on those brands and businesses,” she said.
Hain Celestial also owns Boulder specialty-tea maker Celestial Seasonings.
Other Hain Celestial brands include Yves Veggie Cuisine, Terra Chips, Walnut Acres Organic and Arrowhead Mills.
White Wave was founded in Boulder in 1977. Dallas-based Dean Foods acquired one-third of the company for $15 million in 1999 and bought the remaining two-thirds for $189 million in 2002.
Other WhiteWave brands include Horizon Organic, Silk soy milk and Land O Lakes dairy topping and creamer.
The deal is expected to close in June. It excludes the WhiteWave trademark, but Hain Celestial will have license to continue to market existing products under the brand during a transitional period.
Staff writer Julie Dunn can be reached at 303-954-1592 or jdunn@denverpost.com.
