Kerry, the Irish ingredients group, this week pushed further forward its development strategy with the acquisition of two flavour businesses in the UK and Brazilian food ingredients markets. The purchases bring the Group development activity to-date in 2001 to approximately €600m. Kerry Ingredients (Europe) acquired the sauces and flavoured butters division of Voyager Foods in the UK. Operating from a production plant in Sunderland, the acquired business manufactures a range of formed flavoured butters and a variety of authentic savoury sauces for segments of the prepared foods, food processor and foodservice industries. In Brazil, Kerry's food ingredients operations purchased Siber a branded supplier of ingredients to the artisanal ice cream and bakery sectors. Kerry claims that the Brazilian acquisition will expands Kerry's ingredients offering in Brazil to industrial manufacturers of confectionery, ice cream and bakery products, through its focus on sweet flavour development, including low-water activity sweet-fillings. The businesses have a combined turnover of approximately €60m are being acquired for a total consideration of €94m.
