Kerry, the Irish ingredients, flavours and consumer foods group, has expanded its business in the US with the acquisition of two food ingredients businesses - including one focused on the confectionery market - for $67 million (€61.9m).
Guernsey Bel is a leading manufacturer of inclusions for frozen desserts and other growth areas in the sweet products sector, while Pacific Seasonings produces meat seasonings for the meat, prepared foods and foodservice industries.
Guernsey Bel operates from two modern manufacturing facilities located in Chicago and in Hayward, California and is a leading innovator and provider of value-added ingredients and inclusions technology for the premium ice cream, breakfast cereal, bakery, nutritional bar and confectionery industries.
Commenting on the acquisition of Guernsey Bel, Hugh Friel, Kerry's managing director, said that the company had been building up its sweet ingredients business in the US since 2000, focusing on customised confectionery products and specialist extrusion technologies.
"The acquisition of Guernsey Bel further extends our technological and customer base in this dynamic sector and significantly expands our market presence through the provision of indulgence and texture components in particular for frozen dessert and premium ice cream applications," he said.