Specialty Food Magazine is the leading publication for retailers, manufacturers and foodservice professionals in the specialty food trade. It provides news, trends and business-building insights that help readers keep their businesses competitive.
Issue link: https://specialtyfoodmagazine.epubxp.com/i/912382
specialty food maker mergers & acquisitions A roundup of consolidations having an impact on the specialty food world. SUPERVALU TO ACQUIRE ASSOCIATED GROCERS Supervalu has agreed to acquire Associated Grocers of Florida, a retailer-owned cooperative that dis- tributes groceries and general merchandise to independent retailers, for about $180 million. The deal will allow Supervalu to expand its operations into a new part of Florida and will provide opportunities to bring Supervalu's products and services, including its private-brands portfolio and products from its Market Centre specialty division, to Associated Grocers' customer base of conventional, specialty, and ethnic stores in South Florida, the Caribbean, and other international markets. The deal is expected to close by the end of 2017, subject to approval by Associated Grocers' shareholders and other customary closing conditions. KELLOGG TO BUY RXBAR FOR $600M Kellogg Co. has agreed to acquire Chicago Bar Co. LLC, maker of the Rxbar line of protein bars made with whole food ingredients. Rxbar will continue to operate independently as a standalone business with the ability to leverage Kellogg's scale and resources. The deal is expected to close by the end of 2017. Unilever Adds Brazilian Organic Company Unilever is buying Brazil-based natural and organic food business Mãe Terra, whose portfolio includes 120 organic cereals, cookies, snacks, and culinary products, for an undis- closed sum. Mãe Terra has grown 30 percent per year, and its main categories represent a Brazilian market worth more than $9 billion, according to Euromonitor. The acquisition will strengthen Unilever's food portfolio in Brazil and accelerate its expansion in the natural and organic segment. Mãe Terra's CEO, Alexandre Borges, will stay on as general manager. 106 ❘ SPECIALTY FOOD MAGAZINE specialtyfood.com