Paulig scales up its plant-based protein business Gold&Green for international growth
Paulig aims for international growth and one avenue to do that is the company’s plant-based protein business. To drive the successful execution of the growth strategy, the organisation of Gold&Green Foods will be further strengthened. Co-founder Maija Itkonen will take the leadership of Gold&Green’s Food Tech and Innovations as Chief Innovation Officer. Jyrki Karlsson is appointed Managing Director of Gold&Green Foods as of 1 September.
“Paulig aims for international growth and plant-based protein is one of our strategic focus areas. Gold&Green is a unique, innovative brand and we now look to scale up the business internationally”, says Lenita Ingelin, who is responsible for Gold&Green Foods in Paulig Leadership Team and Senior Vice President of Business Area Finland & Baltics at Paulig.
"The plant-based market is currently growing rapidly around the world. Our Finnish innovation Pulled Oats® is proven to be the perfect plant-based protein and the product has raised massive international interest because of its pure, healthy and sustainable ingredients", says Maija Itkonen, the co-founder of Gold&Green Foods.
Jyrki Karlsson appointed Managing Director of Gold&Green Foods
To support Gold&Green’s international growth, the organisation of Gold&Green Foods will be further strengthened. Jyrki Karlsson is appointed Managing Director of Gold&Green Foods as of 1 September and he will lead the overall Gold&Green business and drive the international growth. Jyrki Karlsson has an extensive career with senior roles in FMCG, retail and food service trade as well as leading plant-based products business and has worked in Finland, Sweden, the UK, Belgium and the Baltics. He will report to Lenita Ingelin.
“We warmly welcome Jyrki to Paulig and to lead Gold&Green’s international growth together with the passionate and innovative Gold&Green team. He is an experienced business leader with a strong background from international FMCG business and trade which will be instrumental on our growth journey”, says Lenita Ingelin.
“Gold&Green Foods is a truly innovative food company, with ambitions to change not only how we eat, but how we live now and in the future. It has been an amazing story from the beginning. I am really excited to become part of this innovative and pioneering team and look forward to developing the business through new innovative products and international markets”, says Jyrki Karlsson.
Food Tech and Innovations play a key role in the future success of the business and Maija Itkonen, co-founder of Gold&Green, will lead this area as Chief Innovation Officer as of 1 September.
“We warmly welcome Jyrki to Gold&Green. I am happy to be able to fully focus on innovation which is my passion and hand over the operational duties to Jyrki”, says Maija Itkonen.
Gold&Green Foods is now a fully owned subsidiary of Paulig
Gold&Green Foods, known for its revolutionary plant-based innovation Pulled Oats®, is now a fully owned subsidiary of Paulig. Paulig acquired 51% of Gold&Green Foods in 2016 and, since then, Pulled Oats® has made millions of people happy in their home kitchens and as a menu item across thousands of restaurants. Pulled Oats® is currently available on the retail market in Finland and the Netherlands and sold in the food service sector in Finland, Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Holland, Belgium, Spain, the UK, Ireland and the US.
For further information, please contact:
Lenita Ingelin
SVP, BA Finland & Baltics
Paulig
Tel. +358 40 589 1401
About Paulig
Paulig was founded in 1876 when Gustav Paulig started his business in the heart of Helsinki. The company is family-owned still today. Paulig offers coffee, food concepts, spices, plant-based products and snacks. The company's brands are Paulig, Santa Maria, Risenta, Gold&Green and Poco Loco. Paulig has operations in 13 countries and sales amounted to EUR 921 million in 2019. The group has about 2.100 employees. www.pauliggroup.com
