Target: Caldic Food Service and Retail
Seller: Caldic
Advisory sell side: Mannheimer Swartling | Legal Advisory Corporate M&A
Buyer: Acomo
Advisory buy side: NautaDutilh | Legal Advisory Corporate M&A
MAQS | Legal Advisory Corporate M&A
NautaDutilh | Tax Advisory
Date announced: 2024-07-01

Dutch food and beverage conglomerate Acomo is set to acquire Caldic Food Service and Retail (FSR), a business specializing in nuts and dried fruits, which operates primarily in northern Europe.

Based in Rotterdam, Acomo is listed on the Amsterdam Stock Exchange and already boasts a diverse portfolio that includes companies like Catz International, a supplier of spices and nuts, and Tovano, a seeds and nuts supplier. Additionally, Acomo owns the tea producer Royal Van Rees and Delinuts. The acquisition of FSR will enhance Acomo's presence in the European Nordic markets.

While the financial specifics of the deal remain undisclosed, the transaction is pending approval from the Swedish investment authorities. The agreement with the overarching Caldic group is anticipated to finalize in the current third quarter.

FSR operates a production facility in Malmö, Sweden, and services markets in Denmark, Norway, Finland, and Germany. The company offers a wide range of products, including nuts, seeds, kernels, dried fruits, pulses, and marzipan. These products are distributed to retail, foodservice, and B2B customers under the brand Naturens Energi.

Acomo's CEO, Allard Goldschmeding, emphasized the strategic benefits of the acquisition, stating, “This bolt-on acquisition allows us to establish a local presence in the Nordic markets. The combination of trading and new value-added services such as customer concept packing, roasting, and producing is a proven approach to reinforcing our position in the supply chains we are active in, enabling us to provide answers to growing customer demand.”

Post-acquisition, FSR will be renamed Delinuts Nordics and will collaborate with Delinuts Netherlands to explore new markets and opportunities. Gustav Larsson, Managing Director of Caldic Nordics, expressed optimism about the acquisition, noting, “We are happy to have found a new home for the Food Service and Retail team. At Acomo, with a longstanding track record in trading and distributing food products and ingredients, our dried fruits and nuts business can flourish and our colleagues who join them will have the opportunity to advance their careers in a company where this segment is central to the strategy.”

FSR’s Commercial Director, Patrick Wibroe, echoed this sentiment, stating, “Acomo is a renowned player in the market and committed to further grow the nuts business. We firmly believe this is the right moment to join Acomo to further strengthen our position in the Nordics, and extend our portfolio with many new products in line with our strategy and core products.”

The acquisition marks a significant step for Acomo in expanding its footprint in northern Europe and enhancing its product offerings in the nuts and dried fruits segment.

Dealmaker