Employees Purchase Ariza Cheese, LA’s oldest manufacturer of Artisan Mexican Cheese
3 min readSep 24, 2018
Four long-term employees get the chance of a lifetime to own company they worked for since the 1990’s
Paramount, California — January 28, 2015 — Ariza Cheese Company, Inc. has been purchased by four key employees; saving 24 manufacturing jobs in the heart of Paramount, California. Ariza is a producer of artisan Mexican Cheeses — Panela, Queso Fresco and Cotija — and was the first minority owned company to sell these distinctive cheese products in mainstream grocery stores throughout Southern California. This led to the widespread market acceptance of Mexican cheese. The company relies on ‘old school’ artisan craft production techniques to ensure the quality and consistency of its products
Ariza Cheese Company, Inc. was established in 1970, by Ausencio Ariza, who actively managed it until his death in 2009, following a long illness. Pablo Gonzalez, a 25-year employee of the company took over plant management at that time and the founder’s daughter, Mimi Fitzsimon, took care of the books and business side from her residence in Sacramento. Committed to the wellbeing of the company, key employees began a savings and investment program with the hope to eventually buy and revitalize the Company.
Ariza was purchased ‘lock, stock and barrel’ on January 23rd by its employees using the services of Concerned Capital. Concerned Capital, an LA based social benefit corporation, pioneered a ‘transfer of ownership’ methodology designed to benefit both buyers and sellers. It also promotes wealth creation by workers in low-income communities and saves jobs. As a result of using this method, the Ariza Family was also able to reduce their tax liability from the sale of their company.
The new owners are: Pablo C. Gonzales 55, Jesus Perez 50, Jose Luis Gomez 53, and Jorge Barillas 40 — Formed a “Collectiva” last April and retained Concerned Capital to facilitate the transfer of ownership. “We knew we could buy the company but we didn’t know how to do it. Concerned Capital gave us a roadmap” said Collectiva President and plant manager, Pablo Gonzales. Collectiva members wrote a business plan and Concerned Capital assisted them with finding the working capital for the take-over. The Company was identified ‘at risk’ for closure by the Los Angeles Economic Development Corporation thru its Lay-off Aversion initiative.
Demand for Ariza’s bestselling Cotija Cheese has been unmet because of limited investment in the company. The plant currently operates at about 30% of capacity, with a recent workforce drop from 40 employees to 24. Larger customers — including King Taco, Super A Foods, and Boys Market — have all placed new orders to encourage more production. The company hopes to start hiring in the Spring of 2015. The plant is located at 7602 Jackson Street in Paramount, California.
For more information about Concerned Capital and the other employee owned companies it has assisted please contact: call Tomás Durán or Bruce Dobb (213) 787–4532.
