Riom, France
May 22, 2018
Limagrain Céréales Ingrédients (LCI) is taking a major step towards internationalization by announcing today that it has entered into an agreement to acquire 100% shares of Unicorn Grain Specialties from Nordian Capital . The operation will be effective in few weeks.
Unicorn Grain Specialties has a strong presence in Northern Europe in the cereals & pulses ingredients markets, relying on heat treatment technologies (puffed cereals, cooking-extrusion, flaking).
The combination of strengths of the two structures will provide enhanced expertise and innovative ingredients to our customers involved in the bakery, snacking, breakfast cereal, ready meals and animal nutrition markets.
The new group with a workforce of 350 employees will generate a turnover close to € 150 million and will strengthen its position as the European leader in cereal ingredients. It will process more than 330,000 tonnes of grain each year in seven production plants across Europe.
Emmanuel GOUJON, Managing Director of LCI says: "Unicorn has a very strong presence in the Benelux and Germany, competitive and innovative products, a team with a solid know-how" and continues: "The two companies share one and the same vision of food that must be safe, natural, and a source of pleasure. Thus, thanks to our research efforts (variety selection of plants, heat treatment, nutrition), we will continue to offer the best cereals, to satisfy our customers with an extended range of products, 100% natural and with high added value. "
Pieter SPANJERS, Managing Director of Unicorn Grain Specialties, emphasizes: "This operation marks an opportunity to accelerate our development strategy with the strength of Limagrain Group and to enter a new dimension. We are delighted to be able to benefit from LCI's size, geographic location, product offerings and cereal expertise. Together with four locations in Europe (France, the Netherlands, Germany, United Kingdom), we create a European leader with strong ambitions. Limagrain Céréales Ingrédients is a strategic partner who, like us, is convinced of the strength of innovation to develop natural solutions with high added value for our customers. "
About Limagrain Cereals Ingredients: Limagrain Céréales Ingrédients (LCI) is a subsidiary of Limagrain, an agricultural cooperative group, creator and producer of plant varieties. Based on 100% traced chain managed by farmers who are members of the cooperative, Limagrain Céréales Ingrédients (LCI), creator of functional cereal ingredients for the food industry, has a turnover of more than 100 Million Euros, of which 40% is exported and transforms every year more than 200,000 tonnes of cereals for the markets: bakery, snacks, breakfast cereals, ready meals, dairy products and nutrition. The company has more than 260 employees over 6 production sites. www.lci.limagrain.com
About Unicorn Grain Specialties: Established in 1906, Unicorn Grain Specialties transformed into a leading manufacturer of specialty-ingredients for a healthy and sustainable experience. With knowledge and expertise on two platforms: Understanding Texture & Enhancing Nutrition, Unicorn unlocks the naturel functionalities of grains, seeds and pulses. This makes Unicorn one of the foremost specialist in Europe in the processing of these natural resources into various applications for the Food, Pet Food and Feed markets. Unicorn Grain Specialties is based in Weert, The Netherlands with a sales office based in Greven, Germany. Unicorn employs 75 people and process more than 135,000 tonnes of cereals annually. www.unicorngrain.com
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