ABF Ingredients Merge Protient Inc. and PGP International

The addition of a high value portfolio of specialty whey protein isolates and hydrolysates both complements and strengthens PGP International's position as a market leader in ingredient based solutions.

29/05/09 ABF Ingredients, a Division of Associated British Foods plc announced the merger of two of its US business units. Effective immediately Protient Inc., headquartered in Roseville, Minnesota, US will merge with PGP International, headquartered in Woodland, California, US. Zachary S. Wochok, CEO of PGP International will head the combined business which will operate under the PGP International name.

Stephen Catling, CEO of the ABF Ingredients Group, said "Following a review of various operating options, market strategies and customer commonalities it was clear that bringing these two business units into a closer working relationship would prove to be a significant next step in expanding our North American based value-added ingredients platform.  PGP International's proven expertise in leading edge product development and applications - serving the sport nutrition, cereal and bar markets, combined with the dairy protein expertise of Protient will be a foundation from which we will grow and expand our capabilities to better serve our customers."

The addition of a high value portfolio of specialty whey protein isolates and hydrolysates both complements and strengthens PGP International's position as a market leader in ingredient based solutions.  The company's product portfolio already includes grains, flours, extruded ingredients, beverage bases and specialty lipid products.

Zachary Wochok added, "PGP International recently expanded its product portfolio with the addition of its' sister company, Ohly America's, product Nutri Sperse, a  line of oil-based trans-free nutritional powders, and ABITEC's medium chain triglycerides (MCT) for the food and beverage industries. These new products together with the dairy based proteins from Protient will provide PGP International the opportunity to present a broad array of specialty ingredients to a larger domestic and international customer base."

Today's announcement follows recent press releases involving these two companies; the acquisition of  Riverbend Rice, Colusa, California, US by PGP International , the expansion of the whey processing facility in Juda, Wisconsin, US and the commissioning of a new state of the art Technical Center in Eagan, Minnesota, US  by Protient Inc.

The merger is expected to take a few months to fully complete, but the company is quick to point out that it will be "business as usual" for customers and suppliers of the two companies during the transition period.  The announcement does not affect the continuing operations at any of the PGP International or Protient manufacturing sites.

"We look forward to providing our customers, in the nutritional/sports bar, snack and beverage markets with novel new products and enhanced services as a result." concluded Catling.