Israeli Kibbutz Maabarot Runs Business Group Like Private Equity Firm With 700 Million Shekel Revenue
Maabarot, a kibbutz in Israel's Emek Hefer region, operates a business group managing seven companies across health, pet food, and personal care sectors, generating approximately 700 million shekels annually. The group evolved from the historic Metarane factory, founded in 1963 and sold in 2017, into a diversified portfolio managed like a private equity fund, focusing on investments that fit its strategic vision. CEO Yariv Greenberg, a kibbutz member and third-generation resident, leads the group and emphasizes balancing the kibbutz's traditional cooperative values with competitive business practices.
The group fully owns companies such as Altman (nutritional supplements), Biopt (pet food), and Halavit, and holds majority stakes in others like Anipt and Kozai Pet. It also owns personal care brands Beedo and K&Care. The company exited the Tel Aviv Stock Exchange in 2019 to streamline governance and reduce public scrutiny, maintaining strong corporate governance with active boards and transparent reporting.
Maabarot kibbutz privatized in January 2026, transitioning from a collective model while preserving community services and economic support systems for members. Major business decisions require kibbutz approval, ensuring transparency and member involvement. Greenberg highlights the challenge of integrating the kibbutz's conservative culture with the demands of a competitive market, noting that the group has expanded into retail and exited less profitable ventures, such as its Polish nutritional supplements business.
Despite occasional skepticism from partners about the kibbutz ownership model, Greenberg and chairman Eric Shor, an external industry veteran, work to bridge gaps and maintain professionalism. Greenberg, who has held multiple roles within the company, insists his leadership is merit-based without preferential treatment. The group's strategy focuses on sustainable growth by investing in areas of expertise and divesting from non-aligned assets, reflecting a modern approach to kibbutz industrial entrepreneurship.
