Valencia and Madrid, 17 October, 2007 - Natra, food company leader in the manufacturing and commercialization of products derived from cocoa and chocolate, has acquired 100% of the Belgian company All Crump. The deal amounts to 45 million euro, free of debt.
The purchase will be financed with Natra’s present resources as well as through All Crump’s financial resources. This significant deal enables Natra to burst into the market of chocolate and hazelnuts bread spreads. All Crump is one of the two most important European private label brand (PLB) manufacturers, in terms of production volume. With this new product category, Natra complements its product portfolio -mainly addressed to the European PLB, and becomes one of the key players within this industry.
Natra constitutes a new business unit with estimated sales for 2007 amounting EUR 54mn and EBITDA of EUR 6mn. Regarding estimates for 2008, sales are expected to reach more than EUR 58mn with EBITDA of EUR 6.5mn. All Crump’s sales in 2006 amounted more than EUR 48mn.
Amongst the synergies to derive from the acquisitions are the incorporation o fan experienced local management, as well as the reinforcement of Natra’s positioning in markets such as Benelux and the United Kingdom, where the Spanish company is already present through Natrazahor, Natrazahor France and Natrajacali. The incorporation of this new business segment chocolate and hazelnuts bread spreads to the Group complements the rest of business units which Natra has been developing for years: cocoa derivatives, industrial chocolate, chocolate tablets, bars, pralines and specialties. Natra will also reinforce its supplying possibilities to the artisans, professionals and final consumer channels. Furthermore, the location of All Crump will allow improving the storage and supplying chain efficiency in Central and Northern Europe.
Moreover, by means of this acquisition Natra will develop its innovation capacity, adding the know how of its subsidiary company Natraceutical to its own. This will allow the introduction of the most advanced proposals within the current modern food industry.
Finally, the unification of Natra and All Crump regarding purchasing and supply of common raw materials will doubtlessly benefit the compound profit and loss account.
All Crump is one of the most important manufacturers and suppliers of chocolate and hazelnuts bread spreads and fillings in Europe. The Belgian company is characterized by its sound prestige in terms of innovation, product development, quality, management and growth. This know how has evolved through more than 40 years of history and Natra will maintain it all of its aspects, for it is one of the company’s most valuable assets. All Crump has been wise enough to combine the best Belgian chocolate tradition with the innovation and adaptability to new market trends. The company sells its products mainly through the retail market, with PLB (Private Label Brands) and fancy brands such as Crumpy. It also supplies diverse premium companies within the food industry, collaborating as a partner.
With an annual production of 30 million tonnes, the company commercializes more than 400 products in more than 50 countries and, up to date, it was amongst the two companies with highest production volumes in Europe. All Crump owns one of the most modern chocolate production plants, located in the Flemish community of Malle ( Antwerp).
The European market of spreads produces around 500 million tonnes per year and is growing at 4,5% rates, while PLB within this segment is growing at 8,5% (Source: AC Nielsen).
Natra, which manufactures and commercializes more than 45.000 equivalent tonnes of cocoa per year, obtained consolidated sales amounting 293 million euro last year and expects to finish 2007 with sales around 380 million euro. The Spanish company, which operates all around Europe, where it exports 90% of its B2C products, is present in 20 of the 30 top European retailers with PLB and fancy brand products.