SOUTH AFRICA – Cape Town’s Deli Spices reports a new step in its long-standing JV partnership with global flavor house, Mane, with the French business acquiring a stake, undisclosed, in the local business.

Both are family-owned businesses and the partnership blends the functional and aromatic expertise of one of the world’s leading fragrances and flavour houses with the supply of high-quality ingredients, market knowledge and access of a prominent local ingredients supplier.

Mane is run and owned by the Mane family since 1871.

Present in 38 countries with 47 R&D centres and 27 manufacturing sites, it has built its growth and reputation on technological innovation, particularly in terms of natural extraction, encapsulation and flavouring solutions for complex formulations.

Deli Spices has been present in the meat market for more than 35 years in South Africa.

It is run by the Haller family and specialises in spices, blends, herbs, sauces, glazes, marinades, breading, soups bases and convenience foods.

It is the third biggest spice supplier to the meat processing industry in South Africa.

The partnership will create a high quality, comprehensive and technologically innovative meat and food ingredients supply hub with unique vertical integration, says the press release.

“This strategic partnership will enhance our emphasis on innovation and expansion. Our customers will now have access to more leading market solutions, as well as the best products and technology.

This all plays into our very ambitious growth strategy, which will be unfolding over the next few years,” commented Robin Haller, CEO of Deli Spices.

“I am pleased to be taking our partnership forward by acquiring a strategic stake in the group, a long-term partner through the joint-venture we initiated in 2009.

This is in line with our strategy to reinforce our commitment to the meat and food-processing industry in EMEA by expanding our expertise in South Africa and in the sub-Saharan continent,” said Jean M Mane, president and CEO of Mane.

Mane has a strong position in the meat processing industry in Europe with its Meat Centre of Excellence, R&D centres and operations.

With this partnership, it widens its worldwide map as supplier of blends and unique solutions for the meat market and strengthens its expertise in the domain.

“I am confident in the ability of both teams to create a future together, preserving the knowledge of traditional recipes and creating regional culinary specialties but also adapting them to provide consumer preferred solutions in the region,” concluded Mane.

The terms of the agreement are not disclosed. The timeframe for closure of the proposed sale will be contingent on customary consultations as well as regulatory approvals.

February 6, 2017.