Dive Brief:
- Bonduelle has agreed to acquire Ready Pac Foods, a U.S. producer of fresh meal solutions, salads and fresh cut produce, according to a company release.
- The move will help Bonduelle expand its fresh business to the U.S., an area where it has limited presence.
- Benefits for Ready Pac Foods include an anticipated larger level of investment in its growth, innovation and global reach.
Dive Insight:
Last March, Ready Pac Foods Inc. offered itself up for sale to a larger manufacturer. Its efforts are now paying off.
With Ready Pac Foods' position as a leading producer of fresh foods and Bonduelle's agricultural leadership and expertise, analysts said the merger makes sense. The belief is that the combination will further expand Bonduelle's reach in the fresh food space.
The companies share a similar philosophy of helping people live healthier through innovative fresh food products and their portfolios complement each other.
Ready Pac expanded its fresh prepared meals during the last few years, and the company’s earnings have reflected its success. Last summer, the company launched organic chopped salad kits, creating a new segment within the packaged market category.
Bonduelle reported more than $2 billion in revenue last year and has a presence in 100 countries around the world. Its experience should help Ready Pac expand its reach globally.