Orkla Food Ingredients buys northern German ice cream company

04-May-2017 - Last updated on 05-May-2017 at 09:23 GMT

Orkla Food Ingredients has acquired German ice cream ingredient supplier Eis Gräbner. Pic: ©iStock/Aksenovko

Norwegian company Orkla Food Ingredients has, through its wholly owned subsidiary Eisunion GmbH, signed and completed an agreement to purchase 100% of the shares in the German sales and distribution company Eis Ludwig Gräbner GmbH (“Eis Gräbner”).

With the acquisition of Eis Gräbner, Orkla Food Ingredients strengthens its position as a supplier of ice cream ingredients and accessories, not only in Scandinavia but in Germany, the Netherlands and the UK.

The new deal comes shortly after the company purchased another ice-cream company, Laan Heiloo B.V., based in the Netherlands.

German coverage

As Eis Gräbner is located in northern Germany, Orkla Food Ingredients said the acquisition complements the 2015 takeover of Eisunion GmbH, which is located in southern Germany.

Eis Gräbner sells a wide range of products including ice-cream making machinery and equipment, ingredients, and cafeteria equipment, furniture and supplies.

Pål Eikeland, Orkla EVP and CEO of Orkla Food Ingredients, said the acquisition, the cost of which was not disclosed, offers potential for expanding the company’s product range and broadening distribution.

Implementing cost measures

Eis Gräbner is a privately owned company established in 1929, and has 18 employees. Its head office and warehouse are located in Hannover, Germany.

In 2016, Eis Gräbner had a turnover of €6.5m ($7.1m).

Orkla Food Ingredients said in a statement that several cost measures have been identified and will be implemented over the next two years.

The company will be consolidated into Orkla’s financial statements as of May 1, 2017. Orkla Food Ingredients accounts for 22% of the branded consumer goods business’ operating revenues.