CANADA – Saputo, a leading Canadian dairy company, has expanded its portfolio with two strategic acquisitions in the dairy alternatives and value-added ingredients sectors.
Saputo is reported to have invested a total of CAD 187 million ($72.6 million approx) in making the two acquisitions which include Bute Island Foods and Reedsburg facility of Wisconsin Specialty Protein.
Bute Island Foods is a manufacturer and distributor of vegan cheese for the retail and foodservice industries.
The company, located on the Isle of Bute on the west coast of Scotland, produces the popular Sheese brand, as well as private label brands.
“We are delighted to welcome the Bute Island Foods team and the wealth of knowledge they bring to our global family,” said Lino A Saputo, chair of the board and CEO of Saputo.
“Our commitment remains to expand our footprint in the dairy alternatives space to meet the changing demands of our customers and consumers.”
In addition, Saputo has pledged more than CAD 5 million over five years to support local Bute Island community initiatives and organisations.
Reedsburg facility of Wisconsin Specialty Protein, Saputo’s second acquisition, manufactures value-added ingredients such as goat whey, organic lactose and other dairy powders.
The transaction is expected to close at the end of May and will enable Saputo to expand and accelerate its ingredients offering in the US and internationally.
Nabati Foods gets new facility
Meanwhile, Nabati Foods, a Canadian Plant-based Food Technology Company, has completed construction of a new manufacturing facility in Edmonton, Alta.
Nabati Foods offers a range of plant-based foods, including dairy-free cheesecake, cheese alternatives and meat alternatives.
Its products are compatible with most dietary restrictions and are free from all common allergens. They are non-GMO and contain no refined sugars, dairy, eggs, gluten or soy.
The company which is part of Eat Beyond Global Holdings Inc. said the new facility will enable it produce 1.2 million lbs of plant-based cheese and about 1 million lbs of plant-based meat.
“Demand for our products, especially Nabati Cheeze, has been so enormous, that we had waiting lists that were several months long,” said Ahmad Yehya, CEO of Nabati Foods.
“This new production space will enable us to keep pace with increasing demand and supply our growing list of clients.”
Nabati’s new facility will also house the company’s research and development department even as looks to extend its geographic reach across North America and eventually into Europe.
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