AAK acquires bakery fats specialist in Belgium
AAK has agreed to acquire the oils and fats business of CSM Benelux NV in Merksem. The company is a leading bakery fats supplier to the bakery markets in Belgium, the Netherlands and France. The acquired business employs around 100 people and had revenues of approximately SEK 970 million in 2013.
The business provides a variety of bakery fat solutions, margarines and pumpable shortenings. The acquisition includes the factory in Merksem, an experienced sales force, application specialists offering customized solutions, and a bakery innovation center. The innovation center will give customers the opportunity to work closely with AAK´s Customer Innovation teams when developing new products and solutions for the bakery area.
“The acquisition will strengthen our ability to supply Bakery solutions in western continental Europe and create mutual cross-selling opportunities for Bakery and CCF products to existing customer bases.”, says Jens Wikstedt, President Europe, AAK.
“Pursuing our global growth strategy, this acquisition is an integral part of our company program AAKtion and adds important capabilities in Sales and Customer Innovation. Merksem will serve as a platform for increased sales within, Bakery and CCF. Further the well equipped factory will complement our existing European manufacturing foot print nicely”, says Arne Frank, President and CEO, AAK Group.
Merksem will start contributing to AAK’s operating profit during second half of 2015.
The acquisition is subject to approval by the competition authorities and following works council procedures. It is expected to be completed within approximately three months.
Press & Analyst Conference
A telephone “Press & Analyst Conference”, chaired by Arne Frank, the Group´s President and CEO, will be held at 2 pm CET, April 9, 2014. To access the call, please register in advance via the investor tab on our website, www.aak.com. A link to the presentation material will be available on the section Investor on www.aak.com.
For further information, please contact:
Fredrik Nilsson, CFO
Phone: + 46 40 627 83 34
Mobile: + 46 708 95 22 21
Anders Byström, Director External Accounting & Investor Relations
Phone: +46 40 627 83 32
Mobile: +46 709 88 56 13
The information is that which AarhusKarlshamn AB (publ) is obliged to publish under the provisions of the Stock Exchange and Clearing Operations Act and/or the Trading in Financial Instruments Act. The information was released to the media for publication on April 9, 2014 at 08.30 am CET.
AarhusKarlshamn (AAK) is one of the world’s leading producers of high value-added speciality vegetable oils and fats solutions. These oils and fats solutions are characterized by a high level of technological content and innovation. AAK`s solutions are used as substitute for butter-fat and cocoa butter, trans-free and low saturated solutions but also addressing other customer. AAK has production facilities in Denmark, Mexico, the Netherlands, Sweden, Great Britain, Uruguay and the US. Further AAK has also toll manufacturing operations in Russia and Malaysia. The company is organized in three Business Areas; Food Ingredients, Chocolate and Confectionery Fats and Technical Products & Feed. AAK’s shares are traded on the NASDAQ OMX, Stockholm, within the Large Cap segment. Further information on AAK can be found on the company’s website www.aak.com.
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