Barry Callebaut strengthens position in US
14 February 2012 – Barry Callebaut has signed an agreement to acquire 100% of Mona Lisa Food Products, a leader in chocolate decorations products in the US.
The currently privately owned company will be integrated into Barry Callebaut’s North American Gourmet & Specialties Products business. The acquisition of Mona Lisa confirms Barry Callebaut’s intention to further accelerate the growth of its Gourmet & Specialties Products business and to add more adjacent products to the company’s offerings for professional users of chocolate such as chocolatiers, pastry chefs, bakers and the HORECA business (hotels, restaurants, catering).
With the acquisition of Mona Lisa Food Products, Barry Callebaut will also strengthen its global footprint and establish a dedicated foothold for decorations products in the US. The newly acquired company complements the business activities of Barry Callebaut’s centre of competence for chocolate decorations located in Zundert (The Netherlands).
Mona Lisa Food Products manufactures a variety of chocolate and pastry decoration products such as cups, curls, spoons, shavings, blossoms, which are distributed all over the US for the most part, but also shipped worldwide. The company is serving a wide range of segments in the food industry, including, but not limited to, in-store bakeries, the HORECA business (hotels, restaurants, catering) and industrial bakeries.
Juergen B. Steinemann, CEO of Barry Callebaut, says, "The acquisition of Mona Lisa Food Products is another step to broaden our knowledge and to accelerate the growth of our Gourmet & Specialties Products business. As a part of Barry Callebaut, the company will strengthen our global market position for chocolate decorations and serve as our dedicated center of competence in the US."
