McCain Foods to Acquire Leading European Chilled Potato Producer
International frozen foods group McCain Foods intends to acquire CelaVíta, a subsidiary of Bieze Food Group, a leading Dutch producer of chilled food products for the food retail and food service industry. CelaVíta is a leading European chilled potato producer and the market leader in the Benelux with over 300 employees. Its product portfolio includes whole baby potatoes, cut, sliced, diced and mash potato, both natural and seasoned.
CelaVíta has strong and longstanding relationships with Dutch and international customers across the three main channels – retail, food service and food industry. Its activity is particularly focused in the Netherlands, Belgium, France, Germany, UK and Italy. In line with common practice, this agreement is subject to consultation with employee representatives and other customary closing conditions.
Upon completion of this acquisition, CelaVíta will become a full subsidiary of McCain Foods Holland, a subsidiary of McCain Foods. The proposed acquisition will strengthen McCain’s core potato business and open opportunities to better serve customers with a more diverse range of product solutions.
“The acquisition of such a respected and leading player in the industry will allow us to expand our range of capabilities and grow our supply position on the European processed potato market,” says Jean Bernou, president of McCain Continental Europe.
McCain Foods is the world’s largest manufacturer of frozen potato specialties, employing over 19,000 people and operating 50 production facilities on six continents. A privately-owned company based in Canada, McCain generates annual sales in excess of C$6 billion. The company’s products can be found in restaurants and retail stores in over 160 countries around the world.
McCain Continental Europe, whose headquarters are located in Villeneuve d’Ascq (France), has 2500 employees. Within the Continental Europe region, McCain works closely with 1700 farmer partners. The McCain Continental Europe region spans 45 countries and has 7 production sites in Belgium, France, Poland and the Netherlands.
