UK – Orkla Food Ingredients through its wholly-owned subsidiary NIC Enterprises has acquired British fudge and toffee manufacturer Confection by Design Ltd.

Confection deal, whose details were not disclosed strengthens Orkla’s position as a leader in bakery and ice cream ingredients in the European market and beyond.

The company operates in the UK through its subsidiaries NIC UK Orchard Valley Foods and County Confectionery.

“The purchase of Confection by Design is strategically right and will complement Orkla Food Ingredients’ position as a supplier of inclusions and accessories to the bakery, chocolate and ice cream market,” said Tor Osmundsen, CEO of NIC Group.

Headquartered in Harrogate, U.K., Confection by Design is a privately-owned business established in 1988 and has 35 employees.

In the financial year ending 30 June 2019, the company which runs a number of production facilities had a turnover of GBP 5.7 million (US$7.21 million).

It supplies fudge and toffee to ice cream manufacturers, bakeries and confectioners, with around 80% of its sales generated in the UK and the rest from exports and according to Orkla, two thirds of the company’s products are distributed by Orkla’s UK subsidiary, Orchard Valley Foods.

As a result of the transaction, Confection by Design will be consolidated into Orkla’s financial statements as of 1 July 2019.

To strengthen its capabilities in the Nordic market, Orkla acquired Swedish manufacturer of margarine and other edible fats, Zeelandia.

Zeelandia Sweden supplies shortening, table oils, margarine, vegetable oils, bakery ingredients and other edible fats and oils in Sweden and exports to Finland, the Baltics and Norway.

Other acquisitions include Kanakis, a Greek confectionery, bakery and ice cream ingredients provider in March, and last year’s deal to buy Denmark’s Igos, a producer of marmalade and fruit fillings.

The company which recently named Jaan Ivar Semlitsch as new President and CEO also this year acquired Portugal’s Asteriscos e Reticências, S.A and Sweden-based vegan and vegetarian dishes maker Lecora.