In a strategic move to bolster its presence in the plant-based ice cream market, Greenyard has announced the acquisition of Belgium-based Crème de la Crème. The financial terms of the deal have not been disclosed, but it involves the procurement of Crème de la Crème’s production facility located in Hasselt, Belgium.
Crème de la Crème specializes in the production of private-label frozen desserts, offering a diverse portfolio that includes ice lollies, sorbet, gelato, and pre-mixed frozen fruit bars tailored for smoothies. Serving clients across Europe, the Middle East, and Africa, Crème de la Crème has established itself as a prominent player in the frozen dessert industry.
With this acquisition, Greenyard gains access to over 25 years of expertise in producing dairy-free frozen desserts. The company intends to retain Crème de la Crème’s workforce, comprising approximately 50 employees, underscoring its commitment to continuity and integration.
Greenyard, known for its focus on fresh, frozen, and prepared fruit and vegetable products, views the addition of Crème de la Crème as a strategic step towards expanding its range of healthy, plant-based offerings for all occasions. Francis Kint, CEO of Greenyard, expressed confidence in the growing demand for delicious and nutritious plant-based snacks and indulgent treats.
Kint stated, “We are pleased to welcome the Crème de la Crème team into the Greenyard family, enhancing our expertise and production capacity in pure-plant ice manufacturing, right here in Belgium. This acquisition seamlessly aligns with Greenyard’s European-wide frozen logistic chain, further strengthening our global presence with leading retailers.”
Rik Zweegers, CEO of Crème de la Crème, emphasized the synergies between the two companies, highlighting the potential to revolutionize the frozen snacking landscape with innovative and wholesome offerings. Zweegers stated, “With Greenyard, we have the opportunity to redefine frozen snacking, meeting the growing demand for delicious and nutritious options among both retailers and consumers.”
Greenyard’s recent acquisitions, including Gigi and Crème de la Crème, signify its readiness to disrupt the frozen snack category with a focus on pure-plant frozen products. The company is committed to supporting and promoting the Gigi brand to expand its reach and cater to the evolving preferences of consumers.
In the financial year 2022/23, Greenyard reported sales of €4.69 billion ($5 billion), reflecting growth from the previous year. Despite a decrease in EBIT and net profit from continuing operations, Greenyard remains optimistic about its strategic direction under the leadership of CEO Francis Kint, who assumed the role following a restructuring in December.
With approximately 8,500 employees and operations spanning 19 countries, Greenyard maintains a strong presence in key markets, including Germany, the Netherlands, Belgium, France, the UK, the US, Poland, and the Czech Republic.
