FDBusiness.com

Belgium-based Vandemoortele Group, which specialises in the production of frozen bakery products and margarines and fats, is acquiring the margarine and frying fats activities of Dutch company Van Dijk Food Products, part of the EFS Group, for an undisclosed sum.

Located in Zeewolde, the margarine and frying fats business of Van Dijk Food Products, achieved a turnover of about Eur138m in 2009 and employed 145 people. Van Dijk Food Products owns the well-known Diamant en Gouda’s Glorie brands and is also an important producer of margarines and frying fats under private labels for both retail and food service. Group Vandemoortele has 5000 employees and a turnover of Eur1.1b, of which Eur450m is generated by margarines and fats. The acquisition is subject to approval by the competition authorities.

Last year, Vandemoortele disposed of its Alpro soy products business to US-based Dean Foods for Eur325m.