Orkla Food Ingredients (OFI), through its wholly-owned subsidiary Idun Industri AS, has entered into an agreement to acquire 100% of the shares in the German sales and distribution company EISUNION GmbH, a full-range supplier of ice cream ingredients and accessories.
EISUNION GmbH 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 Pål Eikeland, EVP and CEO of Orkla Food Ingredients.
EISUNION GmbH supplies ice cream ingredients, ice cornets, packaging, toppings, equipment and machinery to ice cream parlours and cafes. The company achieved a turnover of EUR 19.6 million (NOK 163 million) in 2014. EISUNION is headquartered in Feucht (Nürnberg) and operates from five locations in central and southern Germany. The company has around 70 employees.
The company currently has five owners, who are all part of the German BÄKO cooperative. BÄKO-Zentrale Süddeutschland eG 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.
About Orkla
Orkla is a leading supplier of branded consumer goods and concept solutions to the grocery, out-of-home and bakery markets in the Nordics, the Baltics and selected markets in central Europe and India. Orkla is listed on the Oslo Stock Exchange and has its head office in Oslo. In 2014, the Group had a turnover of NOK 30 billion, and around 13,000 employees at year-end.
About Orkla Food Ingredients
Orkla Food Ingredients is the leading player in the Nordic bakery ingredients segment, and holds growing market positions in selected countries in Europe. The business area ensures proximity to its customers through sales and distribution companies in a total of 19 countries. Its largest product categories are margarine and butter blends, bread and cake improvers and mixes, marzipan and yeast.
Orkla ASA
Oslo, 13 March 2015
Ref.:
Orkla ASA
Group Director Corporate Communications and Corporate Affairs
Håkon Mageli
Tel.: +47 928 45 828
SVP Investor Relations
Rune Helland
Tel.: +47 977 13 250
EISUNION GmbH
Thomas Brück
Tel.: +49 170 6386933