FDBusiness.com

Orkla Food Ingredients (OFI), through its wholly-owned subsidiary Idun Industri, has agreed to acquire 100% of the shares in the German sales and distribution company EISUNION, which supplies a full-range of ice cream ingredients and accessories.

EISUNION is a leading market player in Germany. OFI is one of Norway’s leading suppliers of ingredients and semi-manufactured products to the ice cream industry, and provides ice cream ingredients and accessories in all the Nordic countries and Great Britain. With the acquisition of EISUNION, OFI is expanding its business activities for ice cream ingredients and accessories to Germany.

“This acquisition is in line with Orkla’s aim to grow in selected niches where we see potential for further growth and improved operations. EISUNION has a leading position as a supplier to the German ice cream market, and is strategically important for increasing OFI’s presence in selected geographical markets in Europe,” says Pal Eikeland, EVP and CEO of Orkla Food Ingredients.

EISUNION supplies ice cream ingredients, ice cornets, packaging, toppings, equipment and machinery to ice cream parlours and cafes. The company achieved a turnover of Eur19.6 million (NOK163 million) in 2014.

The company currently has five owners, who are all part of the German BÄKO co-operative. BÄKO-Zentrale Süddeutschland is the main owner with 71.9%. The parties have agreed not to disclose the purchase price. The agreement is subject to the approval of the German competition authorities.

Orkla Food Ingredients is the leading player in the Nordic bakery ingredients segment, and holds growing market positions in selected countries in Europe. Its largest product categories are margarine and butter blends, bread and cake improvers and mixes, marzipan and yeast.