USA – Campbell Soup has announced its completion of the acquisition of Pacific Foods of Oregon (Pacific Foods) for US$700 million in cash, subject to customary purchase price adjustments.
A leading producer of organic broth and soup, Pacific also produces shelf-stable plant-based beverages and other meals and sides.
According to the company, organic food is a US$11 billion category in the U.S., which grew at a compound annual growth rate of 15.7% over the past four years.
“Pacific Foods is an excellent strategic fit with Campbell’s health and well-being portfolio with its strong position in the faster-growing natural and organic category.
We are thrilled to add such a powerful and respected organic brand to our company and intend to leverage our expertise and resources to build on Pacific’s track record of sales growth,” said Denise Morrison, Campbell’s President and Chief Executive Officer.
Pacific Foods will be part of Campbell’s Americas Simple Meals and Beverages division, which includes Campbell’s soup, simple meals and shelf-stable beverage units in the U.S. and Canada.
Led by Mark Alexander, President, the Americas division includes many leading brands such as Campbell’s, V8, Swanson, Prego, Pace and Plum Organics.
“Pacific is an authentic brand with a real food philosophy that closely mirrors our own.
We deeply respect what Pacific has built, and our aim is to help Pacific to accelerate growth while continuing its purpose-driven mission: to make nourishing foods with simple, organic ingredients,” said Alexander.
Campbell named Joe Folds as Vice President and General Manager, Pacific Foods.
Folds has extensive, global experience leading businesses and brands for Campbell since joining the company in 1997.
He was most recently Vice President, Strategy, Business Development and Global Brands, Global Biscuits and Snacks.
Campbell also plans to invest in the business to drive growth and expects to expand distribution; boost marketing support for brand building, invest in R&D and the supply chain to deliver operations and customer service excellence.
Founded in 1987 in Tualatin, Ore., Pacific Foods has more than 500 employees and operates a certified organic plant where it produces its namesake products. Campbell will continue to operate Pacific Foods out of Tualatin.
Campbell expects that Pacific Foods will contribute approximately US$100 million in net sales in fiscal 2018.
Pacific Foods had generated approximately US$232 million in trailing twelve-month net sales as of November 2017.
