US – Swiss food manufacturing giant, Nestlé has expanded its Nescafé coffee portfolio with the addition of what it describes as a super-premium Nescafé that delivers new tastes through roasting innovation.
According to Nestlé, the Nescafé Gold Blend Roastery Collection, is comprised of barista-style soluble coffees that harness the company’s unique expertise in roasting technology to deliver new taste profiles.
The new portfolio is comprised of a ‘The Light Roast’ that has a smoother, more delicate taste, with notes of caramelized honey and toasted biscuit, and a ‘The Dark Roast’ which is more bold and intense, with notes of dark chocolate and roasted nut.
Nestlé says that the Arabica and Robusta beans used in the blends are grown and produced in a sustainable way that benefits coffee farmers and the environment.
Furthermore, the coffees are packaged in aluminum tins that are 100% recyclable and plastic free – to support Nestlé’s 2025 packaging commitment.
Two additional soluble coffee innovations have also been launched in the UK.
Nescafé Azera Craft Coffee, the UK’s first craft coffee in instant format, and Nescafé Azera My Way Latte, the market’s first instant latte that can be prepared using a choice of milk or plant-based milk alternatives.
Acquisition of The Bountiful Company
Meanwhile, Nestlé has given an update on the acquisition of US nutrition and supplement maker The Bountiful Company.
The company revealed that it has entered into an agreement with KKR to acquire the core brands of the US company for US$5.75 billion.
The Bountiful Company is the number one pure-play leader in the highly attractive and growing global nutrition and supplement category.
The transaction includes the high-growth brands Nature’s Bounty®, Solgar®, Osteo Bi-Flex® and Puritan’s Pride® as well as the company’s US private label business.
Net sales of the acquired brands were US$1.87 billion in the last twelve months ending March 31, 2021, with an EBITDA of 18.3%.
Nestlé says these brands will be integrated into Nestlé Health Science, creating a global leader in vitamins, minerals and nutritional supplements.
“This acquisition complements our existing health and nutrition portfolio in terms of brands and channels. It will establish Nestlé Health Science as the industry leader in mass retail, specialty retail, e-commerce and direct-to-consumer in the US, while offering significant opportunities for geographic growth,” said Nestlé Health Science CEO Greg Behar.
The Bountiful Company’s sports and active nutrition brands Pure Protein®, Body Fortress® and MET-Rx®, as well as Dr.Organic® and the Canadian over-the-counter (OTC) business, which do not complement the Nestlé Health Science portfolio, are not included in the deal.
The transaction is expected to close in the second half of 2021, following the completion of customary closing conditions, including regulatory clearance.
Liked this article? Subscribe to Food Business Africa News, our regular email newsletters with the latest news insights from Africa and the World’s food and agro industry. SUBSCRIBE HERE
