Puratos snaps up Austrian bakery producer
Bakery, patisserie and chocolate ingredients company Puratos has acquired Austrian bakery ingredient producer Diamant from Werhahn Group for an undisclosed sum.
Diament has a strong market presence in Poland and the Czech Republic, and is available throughout Central and Eastern Europe through distributors/partners under its own brand or via private label. The company is headquartered in Wels, Austria, and employs more than 150 people.
“This acquisition will help us increase our presence on the Austrian market, and strengthen our already strong position in Central and Eastern Europe,” said Daniel Malcorps, chief executive officer of Puratos. “An experienced team and a solid manufacturing unit in Austria itself, and the long time presence of Diamant on the market, will allow us to further grow our sales in a region which is very influential in the rest of Central & Eastern Europe.”
Piet Sanders, markets director for Northern and Eastern Europe at Puratos, added, “With the acquisition of Diamant, we are extremely pleased to double the size of our business in Poland and the Czech Republic.
“We believe to be able to become a true and complete business development partner for the Austrian bakers, chocolatiers and patissiers, with a strong local presence and excellent services, including the innovation center in Wels. In Poland and the Czech Republic, we will be able to offer a wider product and service range to the customers, as we will unite and build on the strengths of both Diamant and Puratos in these countries.”
Meanwhile, Anton Werhahn, CEO of Werhahn, noted that the company will now focus on its three core divisions: building materials, consumer goods and financial services.
