WILD Flavors on Alfrebro acquisition: We expect to have a seamless transition

05-Dec-2013 - Last updated on 05-Dec-2013 at 14:05 GMT

WILD Flavors: 'Alfrebro runs a very lean manufacturing facility'

WILD Flavors Inc says the integration of Ohio-based natural extracts and aroma chemicals manufacturer Alfrebro, LLC will be ”seamless” and that while the Alfrebro name will stay, WILD will integrate the administrative and production functions “where it is optimal”.

Speaking to FoodNavigator-USA after announcing plans to acquire Alfrebro for an undisclosed sum, WILD Flavors senior director of marketing Donna L. Hansee said the acquisition would “increase the WILD portfolio of offerings to the market while also broadening the materials utilized internally internally for our own creative palette”.

Asked how many staff are employed by Alfrebro and whether managing partner David Moats will stay on, she said: “Alfrebro runs a very lean manufacturing facility. Acquiring it will only increase the WILD North American staff by approximately 5%.

"David will continue to be president of Alfrebro, LLC and will report into the WILD organization accordingly.”

Alfrebro’s name stays intact

Asked whether Alfrebro will be run as a standalone business or whether the plan is to integrate sales, purchasing, marketing, and all other functions into WILD as soon as possible, she said: “Alfrebro’s name stays intact and where it is optimal, WILD will integrate the administrative and production functions.

"We expect to have a seamless transition that is completely transparent to our customer base.”

As for overlap from a customer perspective between WILD and Alfrebro, she said: “Alfrebro will bring WILD some new customers although we also share some already.”

Where it is optimal, WILD will integrate the administrative and production functions

The deal - the latest in a string of recent acquisitions for the natural ingredients giant - will add unique flavors, extracts, and aromas for the food and beverage market to WILD’s portfolio, and strengthen its focus on health and wellness, said Michael Ponder, global CEO of WILD Flavors GmbH when the deal was announced last week.

“Alfrebro’s business will provide improved raw material access while strengthening our existing flavor and extract capabilities. By broadening our product offering and by providing a truly global supply chain, our customers will profit from WILD Flavors’ unique full-solution approach as the single source of supply for every ingredient needed to produce a high-quality, finished product.”

Vince Macciocchi, COO of WILD Flavors Inc, which is based in Erlanger, Kentucky, added: “The opportunities with Alfrebro represent vertical integration, access to new flavor ingredients, increased manufacturing capabilities and additional cost savings.”

Based in Zug, Switzerland, WILD Flavors GmbH is one of the world’s leading suppliers of natural ingredients to the food and beverage industry, with production sites in the US, Europe, Canada, China, Japan, India, Brazil, and Dubai.