Orkla expanding in ice cream ingredients and accessories

Through its wholly-owned subsidiary Idun Industri AS, Orkla Food Ingredients (OFI) has purchased 55% of the shares in the two Dutch sales and distribution companies Frusco and Briceland. Combined, the two companies will be a leading player in the Dutch ice cream market.

Frusco and Briceland supply soft serve ice mixes and accessories to the Dutch out-of-home market. The companies also export their products to other European and Non-European countries. OFI is one of Europe's leading suppliers of ice cream ingredients and accessories, with a presence in the Nordics, the UK and Germany. Through the acquisition of Frusco and Briceland, OFI is expanding its business area for ice cream ingredients and accessories to the Netherlands. Moreover, Frusco and Briceland will bring to the business area their soft serve ice mix expertise and supply chain.  

"This acquisition is in line with Orkla's aim to grow in selected categories and markets where we see a potential for further growth and synergies. Frusco and Briceland both hold strong positions as suppliers to the Dutch ice cream market, and the acquisition is strategically important for strengthening OFI's presence in selected geographies in Europe," says Pål Eikeland, Orkla EVP and CEO of Orkla Food Ingredients. 

Frusco and Briceland have a total of 15 employees, and their operations are located in Deventer and Waddinxveen, respectively. The companies achieved an aggregate turnover of EUR 12.5 million (ca. NOK 119 million) in 2014. Frusco and Briceland have a combined total value of EUR 8.6 million (ca. NOK 82 million) on a debt-free basis (100%). The companies' present owners, who are three private individuals, will continue to hold a total of 45% of shares as minority shareholders. 

Orkla is a leading supplier of branded consumer goods and concept solutions to the grocery, out-of-home and bakery markets in the Nordic region, the Baltics and selected markets in central Europe and India. Orkla is listed on the Oslo Stock Exchange and its headquarters are in Oslo, Norway. In 2014, the Group had a total turnover of approximately NOK 30 billion and had around 13,000 employees at year end.

Orkla Food Ingredients is the leading player in the bakery ingredients sector in the Nordic region, in addition to holding growing market positions in selected countries in Europe. The business area ensures proximity to its customer market through sales and distribution companies in a total of 19 countries. Its biggest product groups are margarine and butter blends, bread and cake improvers and mixes, marzipan and yeast.

Orkla ASA
Oslo, 16 December 2015

Ref.:

Group Director Corporate Communications and Corporate Affairs
Håkon Mageli
Tel.: +47 928 45 828

SVP Investor Relations
Mattias Orrenius
Tel.: +47 983 66 334