Barrington family buys Munroe Dairy

Tracy and Bill Daugherty go from customers to owners

By Josh Bickford
Posted 12/20/17

Tracy and Bill Daugherty have long been fans of Munroe Dairy.

When the Daughertys first moved to Barrington more than 10 years ago, they noticed the cow trucks the dairy uses to deliver its …

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Barrington family buys Munroe Dairy

Tracy and Bill Daugherty go from customers to owners

Posted

Tracy and Bill Daugherty have long been fans of Munroe Dairy.

When the Daughertys first moved to Barrington more than 10 years ago, they noticed the cow trucks the dairy uses to deliver its products, and they saw the "Munroe Dairy" milk boxes resting on the front steps of homes across town.  

But earlier this month, the Daughertys went from customers of Munroe Dairy to owners.

The Daughertys are managing partners of a new ownership group which took over the long-standing Rhode Island business. The Daughertys purchased the dairy and its assets from Rob Armstrong and the Armstrong family; Mr. Armstrong was the third generation of his family to lead the East Providence company, which was first established in 1881. 

“Munroe Dairy is an incredible Rhode Island success story,” Mrs. Daugherty said. “We are committed to providing the resources needed to make Munroe’s service even better and to working with Munroe’s dedicated and talented team to help the company thrive in the years ahead. One hundred thirty-six years of success is a high bar.”

Mr. and Mrs. Daugherty said they plan to retain all 73 employees and the management team. The purchase included the real estate on North Brow Street in East Providence, which will remain the company’s headquarters.

"When we moved here (to Barrington), one of our goals was to find a business," said Mr. Daugherty. "We were talking to a lot of people. We started talking to Rob (Armstrong). It wasn't the right time for him or the business, but we kept in touch. We've been customers and friends over the years."

More recently, the Daughertys again reached out to Mr. Armstrong. This time "… he was ready to move on and do other things," said Mrs. Daugherty. 

She added: "You start talking to people and you realize what kind of a feeling this company engenders with everybody. It's so positive. It is a bit of a throwback. The customers. The employees. It's like family. It really is. You don't see that very often anymore."

Mr. Armstrong was pleased to find new owners who care deeply about the company and its employees.

“We were absolutely determined to find the right stewards for the company going forward,” Mr. Armstrong said. “Munroe is truly a family, made up of our employees and our customers. It was critical that the new owners understood and are committed to Munroe’s history of excellence. We hit it out of the park with this group of families.”

The Daughertys are very excited to begin their work with Munroe Dairy, and plan several investments in the company, such as creating a new mobile app for customers. 

"We're always going to work to make the customer experience better, but our first rule here is 'Do no harm,'" said Mr. Daugherty. "Munroe Dairy's done such a great job for 136 years."

"There is the whole farm to table movement, and that's what Munroe Dairy has been doing," added Mrs. Daugherty. "Except now you can do it with even more things."

Munroe has expanded its menu over the years and now offers more than 200 grocery items in addition to its farm fresh milk delivered in glass bottles. 

"It's the personalized service, but it starts with the incredible high quality," said Mr. Daugherty. "Farm fresh milk in glass bottles. All local. Local everything. And an ever-expanding local product list. Matt (Levin) has done a great job of expanding it, adding a lot of local products, like the granola."

Mr. Levin, who is also a Barrington resident, works as Munroe Dairy's general manager. He said the company listens closely to its customers to provide them with the products they have long expected and also offering new items, such as the Sacred Cow granola. The company is opening a new commercial kitchen at its East Providence headquarters where it will produce its line of Sacred Cow baked goods. 

Munroe Dairy already offers local favorites such as Venda Ravioli pasta and sauces, Krazy Korner bagels, Blount soups, Willow Tree chicken salad and pot pies, and Mills Coffee. And plans are underway for new partnerships with local food and beverage brands.

“With the resources and energy provided by the new ownership group, we are well-positioned to exceed our customers’ expectations,” Mr. Levin said.

Last Wednesday afternoon, Mr. and Mrs. Daugherty offered a tour of the dairy's headquarters in East Providence, pausing for a few minutes inside the cooler. They watched as workers hustled to fill crates with bottled milk and other items, then whisk them into waiting trucks. 

"I love the family atmosphere," said Mr. Daugherty. "The employees. The customers. It's all incredibly Rhode Island. It's the awesome part of Rhode Island."

Mrs. Daugherty added: "We're thrilled. We couldn't be more excited."

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