Royal FrieslandCampina and MYWO Food Group have reached agreement on the acquisition of cheese specialist Zijerveld and its packaging unit Den Hollander Food by FrieslandCampina. The acquisition will, said FrieslandCampina Cheese, enable the company to offer customers a more comprehensive cheese portfolio and package of services.
According to FrieslandCampina, the acquisition of Zijerveld emphasises its ambitions to grow in added value cheese products. Zijerveld Food not only offers its clients a wide range of specialty items such as the North Holland cheeses (PDO ) and farmhouse cheeses but also knowledge, tailor-made concepts and its own logistics services. The company has a turnover of over €400 million.
“This investment is in line with our route2020 ambitions to become a preferred supplier for our clients in various market segments,” said Cees ‘t Hart, CEO Royal FrieslandCampina. “Zijerveld complements our existing business in the pre-pack segment and contributes to further value growth for our customers, in particular in the fresh counter segment with specialty cheeses.”
“By teaming up with FrieslandCampina Cheese, we can roll out our business model to other countries where FrieslandCampina has a presence, ensure the continuity of our cheese supply and further strengthen our current business in the Netherlands,” said Matthieu Zijerveld, one of the three brothers involved in the family-owned MYWO Food Group. “ Zijerveld will continue to be managed by its current management team.”
Zijerveld provides a comprehensive range of Dutch-type cheeses and cheeses from foreign countries while also offering its customers tailor-made concepts and its own logistics services. The cheese specialist, which is located in Bodegraven, employs about 300 people and has its own ripening warehouses, packaging and logistics locations. Zijerveld consists of three commercial divisions: ‘Retail’, ‘Traditional & Out of Home’ and ‘International Markets’.
The transaction is subject to customary closing conditions, including required regulatory approvals.
FrieslandCampina had previously announced that it planned to close its plant in Debrecen, Hungary. The production of selected products will move to the company’s factory in Mateszalka, while a number of products will be outsourced.
