Netherlands: Wessanen buys Mrs Crimble's

Wessanen, the Dutch health foods firm, has announced a deal to buy British gluten-free specialist Mrs Crimble's, taking the group's total number of acquisitions since December to four.

Within the last eight months, Wessanen has also announced the acquisition of French tea and coffee firm IneoBio, the Dutch tea brand Piramide, and non-dairy drinks firm Abafoods.

Established since 1979, Mrs Crimble's is the UK's brand leader in the gluten-free market, producing macaroons and a broad range of other gluten-free products. The firm's net revenue amounted to £12.7 million ($16.7 million) in 2015.

Wessanen said that the majority of Mrs' Crimble's sales were in "sweet-in-between" products, a core category for Wessanen itself, and that Mrs Crimble's was expected to benefit from the growth in popularity of gluten-free products and demand from both consumers and retailers.

Commenting on the acquisition, Wessanen CEO Christophe Barnouin said: "The acquisition of Mrs Crimbles is a further step in the execution of our strategy. The brand has great knowledge in gluten-free "sweet-in-between" products and a strong base in the UK.  This acquisition will further strengthen our operations in the UK market and gives us an entry into a strategic growth segment".

Source: Wessanen / Mrs Crimble's