Specialty Food Magazine is the leading publication for retailers, manufacturers and foodservice professionals in the specialty food trade. It provides news, trends and business-building insights that help readers keep their businesses competitive.
Issue link: https://www.e-digitaleditions.com/i/950112
specialty food maker mergers & acquisitions A roundup of consolidations having an impact on the specialty food world. WILD ZORA FOODS ACQUIRES FREEZE-DRIED MEALS COMPANY Wild Zora Foods LLC has acquired Paleo Meals to Go, a freeze-dried meals company. Wild Zora will move pro- duction of Paleo Meals to Go's products to its Loveland, Colo.-based facility. The company notes that the only way to use grass-fed and sustainably raised meat was to bring the freeze-drying process in house because the only freeze-dried meat currently available on the market is conventionally raised. Paleo Meals to Go's founder Dawn Anderson will stay with the company to continue developing new products. Wild Zora plans to offer Paleo Meals to Go products across all of its distribution channels, including its own e-commerce site, Amazon, Whole Foods Market, Natural Grocers, and REI. ATALANTA ACQUIRES ANCO FINE CHEESE Specialty food importer Atalanta Corp. has acquired ANCO Fine Cheese from Schratter Foods Inc. ANCO is one of the largest specialty cheese importers in the U.S. Atalanta is looking to gain synergies from the acquisition using ANCO's network of relationships with suppliers, custom- ers, and employees. Tom Gellert, president of Atalanta, says, "For decades, ANCO has been one of the most established importers of spe- cialty cheese to the U.S. Together with Atalanta's own rich history, we have a unique opportunity to solidify our position as leaders in the specialty cheese and deli categories." Dr Pepper Snapple, Keurig Green Mountain to Merge Dr Pepper Snapple Group and Keurig Green Mountain will merge to form Keurig Dr Pepper, creating a com- pany with a hot and cold beverage portfolio. Upon closing of the transaction, JAB Holding Co. will be the controlling shareholder and Mondelez International, JAB's partner in Keurig, will hold an approximately 13-14 percent stake in the combined company. Dr Pepper Snapple's portfolio includes brands such as Dr Pepper, 7UP, Snapple, A&W, Mott's, and Sunkist, while Keurig has Green Mountain Coffee Roasters. The companies expect to have distribution capability that allows reach to virtually every point-of-sale in North America. They also expect the merger to attract new brands and beverage categories to the platform. 66 ❘ SPECIALTY FOOD MAGAZINE specialtyfood.com