ADM acquires dairy ingredients firm Revela Foods in North American flavor capabilities expansion

19 Dec 2023 --- ADM has agreed to acquire Revela Foods, a US developer and manufacturer of dairy flavor ingredients and solutions. The Wisconsin-based company had projected sales of almost US$240 million in 2023 and will add new capabilities to ADM’s global flavors portfolio in the US$1.8 billion global dairy flavors segment and US$3.2 billion savory flavors segment. 

The acquisition is subject to customary closing conditions and regulatory approvals. ADM intends to complete the transaction early in 2024.

Revela, a portfolio company of New Heritage Capital since 2019, has reportedly delivered rapid growth, driven by its innovative enzyme technology, which powers a broad range of clean label dairy flavor formulations for multiple applications, from snacks and frozen meals to sauces, dressings, soups, seasonings and desserts.

The company’s approximately 400 colleagues operate three state-of-the-art production facilities in the US Midwest.

“Revela has built a strong business around its unique range of dairy flavor ingredients and solutions for customers spanning major brands, retailers and foodservice,” says Calvin McEvoy, ADM’s president of global flavors.

“ADM has a strong presence in the North American savory flavors segment, and we’re excited to work with the impressive Revela team to expand our opportunities there, bringing its technology and innovation together with our global capabilities to power our unparalleled range of ingredients and complete solutions for customers who are looking for great flavors and clean labels.”

Revela’s CEO, Terry Schneider, adds: “We are excited to partner with ADM to further Revela’s reputation as an innovative, turnkey provider of dairy flavor ingredients and solutions… joining the ADM family will allow us to offer even broader solutions to our customers and provide our employees with even greater opportunities for advancement.”Revela uses enzyme technology to produce clean label dairy flavor formulations for various applications, including snacks.

ADM’s acquisition strategy
ADM continues to add to its broad portfolio of flavor ingredients and solutions as it builds a global leader in nutrition.

Since acquiring Wild Flavors in 2014, the human and animal nutrition leader has added multiple new offerings to its flavors portfolio through acquisitions, including savory via Eatem Foods, citrus via Florida Chemical Company and Erich Ziegler Citrus and vanilla via Rodelle.

The company has also expanded its flavor capabilities globally with acquisitions like Flavor Infusion South America, organic investments like its Pinghu, China, flavor production facility and the expansion of its Berlin, Germany, flavor facility.

It also has a growing network of innovation centers spanning Europe, Asia, Latin America and North America.

“ADM’s integrated business model and unparalleled production and product application expertise power a portfolio of customizable, complete nutrition solutions that no other company can match,” comments Ian Pinner, president of ADM’s Nutrition business.

“Our flavors business is an important pillar of our Nutrition growth strategy, and we are continuing to add to our flavors pantry to ensure we remain the partner of choice for customers around the globe.”

We recently spoke to Bastian Hörmann, global marketing director of sweet food, dairy and specialized nutrition at ADM, about how shoppers are looking for even the most indulgent foods and beverages to deliver support for key areas of wellness, including immune function, digestive health, heart health, mental well-being and cognitive health.

Edited by Joshua Poole