EANS-News: AGRANA acquires Argentinian fruit preparations producer MAIN PROCESS
S.A.
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Mergers - Acquisitions - Takeovers/Company Information
The fruit, starch and fruit processor AGRANA has consolidated its presence in
the South American market through the acquisition of 100% of the shares in Main
Process S.A., a producer of fruit preparations. Located in north-eastern
Argentina, this company with a workforce of around 175 generated revenues of
approximately EUR 19 million in its 2015 financial year.
In addition to standard fruit preparations for yoghurts and ice creams, Main
Process S.A. also specialises in the production of syrups for beverages and
fillings for bakery products. Latin America is a strong growth market,
particularly with regard to fruit preparations used in beverages and smoothies
as well as for non-fruit solutions such as chocolate toppings and caramel
syrups. Besides its core business for industrial customers (dairies and
bakeries), additional sales potential also exists in the quick-service
restaurant (e.g. fast food) and food service sectors (e.g. hotels and catering).
"The acquisition of Main Process represents another step in the direction of
sustainably consolidating our leadership in the global fruit preparations
market. The broad product range of Main Process in both the dairy and non-dairy
segments meshes ideally with our diversified product portfolio"AGRANA CEO Johann
Marihart emphasised.
Fruit preparations at AGRANA
Fruit preparations contain top quality fruit which is prepared either as a
liquid or in pieces in order for these to be used mainly in dairy products but
also in the ice cream and bakery industries. These products are individually
designed and produced by AGRANA on the basis of close development-related
collaboration with customers. AGRANA's product development work also reflects
global nutritional and health trends in the area of organic, natural products
and clean labels. For example, current focus areas include food stabilisers not
subject to mandatory declaration (so-called 'E numbers') for fruit preparations
and production processes which minimise the impact of fruit commodity
processing. The aim is to optimally maintain the natural properties of the
fruit.
AGRANA currently operates seven production facilities for fruit preparations on
the American continent, four in the USA and one in each of Argentina, Brazil and
Mexico. Globally, AGRANA produces fruit preparations at a total of 24 sites.
About AGRANA
AGRANA adds value to agricultural commodities to produce top quality foodstuffs
and numerous industrial upstream products. Around 8,600 personnel working at
over 50 production facilities worldwide generate consolidated revenues of around
EUR 2.5 billion. The Company was founded in 1988 and is today the leading sugar
company in Central and Eastern Europe as well as being a key producer, in the
Starch segment, of special products in Europe and the largest manufacturer of
bioethanol in Austria. AGRANA is also the global leader in fruit preparations
and the largest European producer of fruit juice concentrates.
This press release is available in German and English at www.agrana.com.
Further inquiry note:
AGRANA Beteiligungs-AG
Mag.(FH) Hannes Haider
Investor Relations
Tel.: +43-1-211 37-12905
e-mail:hannes.haider@agrana.com
Mag.(FH) Markus Simak
Pressesprecher
Tel.: +43-1-211 37-12084
e-mail: markus.simak@agrana.com
end of announcement euro adhoc
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company: AGRANA Beteiligungs-AG
F.-W.-Raiffeisen-Platz 1
A-1020 Wien
phone: +43-1-21137-0
FAX: +43-1-21137-12926
mail: info.ab@agrana.com
WWW: www.agrana.com
sector: Food
ISIN: AT0000603709
indexes: WBI, ATX Prime
stockmarkets: Präsenzhandel: Berlin, Stuttgart, Frankfurt, official market: Wien
language: English