Cookie Consent by Free Privacy Policy website Barry Callebaut to acquire Ingredients Division of Gertrude Hawk Chocolates
september 07, 2017 - barry.callebaut

Barry Callebaut to acquire Ingredients Division of Gertrude Hawk Chocolates

Expansion of the North American Specialties & Decorations business

  • Strategic expansion of Barry Callebaut’s North American Specialties & Decorations #business, expanding product portfolio to new product areas
  • Gertrude Hawk Ingredients is part of family-owned U.S. company #gertrudehawkchocolates providing specialized product know-how and product capabilities
  • Acquisition complementary to recent addition of D’Orsogna Dolciaria in Europe and in line with Barry Callebaut’s “smart growth” strategy to accelerate growth in Specialties & Decorations

Barry Callebaut, the world’s leading manufacturer of high-quality #chocolate and cocoa products, signed an agreement to acquire the ingredients division of #gertrudehawkchocolates. This acquisition will strategically expand Barry Callebaut’s Specialties & Decorations #business, in particular in North America.

Gertrude Hawk Ingredients has grown to become the largest division of #gertrudehawkchocolates, a family-owned U.S. company. By creating new and innovative technology and processes to make ice cream and baking inclusions, Gertrude Hawk Ingredients has become a leader in the ingredients market with specialized capabilities and has created lasting partnerships with customers. Many of its ingredients and contract manufacturing products can be found in U.S. brands and stores across the country. With the acquisition of Gertrude Hawk Ingredients, Barry Callebaut will further extend its leading role in decoration and inclusion products for #food Manufacturers, particularly in the North American market. It will allow Barry Callebaut to expand its portfolio with new technologies for shell molding, panning, and enrobing, and also with solutions for shaped inclusions and peanut butter chips, a very popular product in North America. Together with the recently announced acquisition of D’Orsogna Dolciaria in Europe, this acquisition underlines Barry Callebaut’s strategic efforts to grow in the value-added Specialties & Decorations #business, which serves both #food Manufacturers and Gourmet customers seeking differentiation, premiumization and personalization.

The sales volume of Gertrude Hawk Ingredients in 2016/17 was around 13,000 tonnes, with sales revenues of approx. EUR 70 million (USD 83 million). #gertrudehawkchocolates was founded by Gertrude Hawk in 1936 in Scranton, Pennsylvania. The Ingredients division has a state-of-the-art facility in Scranton, Pennsylvania and employs around 370 people.

Antoine de Saint-Affrique, CEO of Barry Callebaut, said: “We continue to consistently execute our ‘smart growth’ strategy by growing our value-added Specialties & Decorations #business. Gertrude Hawk Ingredients adds new capabilities, technologies and skilled employees who we are happy to welcome to the Barry Callebaut family. The acquisition allows us to expand our product portfolio into new markets, and offer an even wider range of products and services than before. Gertrude Hawk Ingredients will play a cornerstone role in our Specialty & Decorations #business and we intend to further build on their team and their capabilities.”

Dave Hawk, Chairman of #gertrudehawkchocolates, said: “Barry Callebaut has at its fingertips everything needed to continue the growth of the #business, including a seasoned, highly respected sales force that calls on virtually every baker and ice cream maker of any size around the world. Also from a community perspective, this is a dream come true. We have the opportunity to bring a world renowned, state-of-the-art #chocolate manufacturer to the Scranton area. How often does that happen?”

The transaction is subject to regulatory approval. Closing of the transaction is expected to occur in October 2017.

The parties have agreed not to disclose any financial details of the transaction.