Cargill-D.D.Williamson : US friends unite in Europe

Carving a deeper position in Europe, US caramel colour leader D.D. Williamson has acquired a UK colour plant from French starch and starch derivative company Cerestar, now owned by agro giant Cargill.

The France-based firm will sell its caramel colour operation in Manchester to privately-owned D.D. Williamson, an existing customer of Cargill.

"We will source glucose syrup via a pipeline from Cargill's Cerestar starch refinery in Manchester to manufacture a broader line of caramel colour and burnt sugar products for global markets," said the caramel firm in a statement on Tuesday.

The company established production operations in Cork, Ireland more than 25 years ago, its first and only European facility, but this latest acquisition is likely to bring new market opportunities through an expanded product line.

"Producing foods and beverages with consistently high quality on a global scale means having trusted suppliers who can deliver proven ingredients reliably, quickly, and consistently," said CEO Ted Nixon, referring to the company's relationship with the largest private US company founded in the same year, 1865.