The European Commission has approved plans by Swiss food and drink manufacturer Nestle to purchase German company Schoeller, a producer of ice cream and frozen foods.
The acquisition will see Nestle strengthening its ice cream business in the strategically important German market and also gaining access to other ice cream markets in Northern and Central Europe.
The company also expects the purchase to open new business opportunities in the frozen food sector as well as in home delivery.
The Commission noted the complementary sectors covered by Nestle and Schoeller, notably in the ice cream and the out-of-home sectors.
Nestle is now to proceed with a 100 per cent takeover of the Schoeller Holding Group. For the year 2002, all operational units concerned will continue to function in the same structure as before.
Nestle became sole owner of Ice Cream Partners USA in late December 2001, gaining the premium brand Häagen-Dazs. Ice cream is expected to be a major area of growth for the food company which will compete with Unilever, the largest ice cream manufacturer worldwide.