Barentz Europe to Combine Production Companies

All of the companies technologists will be working together in the brand new application and pilot facilities in Wolvega.The company will facilitate the relocation of all Almelo employees.

2 Sep 2009 --- Netherlands based Vitablend (Wolvega), Barentz Ingredients (Almelo) and L.I. Frank (Twello) together form the Production Division of Barentz Europe. In order to accommodate the growth of Vitablend and Barentz Ingredients, the production of both companies will be centralized in Wolvega over the next few months.

According to Barentz, by combining both locations better opportunities for growth are created and the Centers of Excellence for food, pharma and nutrition can be combined and reinforced. All of the companies technologists will be working together in the brand new application and pilot facilities in Wolvega.

Currently 22 people are working in Almelo and they will all be offered the opportunity to move along to the new site in Friesland. The company will facilitate the relocation of all employees.

Vitablend was formed in 2000 and has a state-of-the-art facility in Wolvega, in the province of Friesland in The Netherlands. The company is a specialist in protection, with a full range of antioxidant products, and in fortification, through tailor made blends of micronutrients, such as vitamins, minerals, amino acids, nucleotides and nutraceuticals.

The company offers a vast know how in food and pharmaceutical applications from infant to clinical nutrition to food supplements and from spreads to baked goods, cereals and drinks.

Vitablend has its own sales offices in France, Germany and the UK. Barentz Ingredients exists 20 years and became part of the Barentz group of companies in 2002.

The company is a specialist in functional blends focusing on yield, texture and protection of meat and fish products. In combination with L.I. Frank, Barentz Ingredients also offers specialty blends for the fine bakery industry such as the wafer, puff pastry and biscuit industry focusing on health benefits, clean label and shelf life extension.

Barentz Europe is a specialized distribution company for the food, feed, pharmaceutical, cosmetic and chemical industries. The company had a turnover of € 545 Million in 2008 and just over 400 employees. Centers of Excellence with ownership of technology are a key part of Barentz growth strategy.

“By combining these two production locations, we create significant synergies and will be much better prepared to deal with our continued growth .” says Jack Boers, the director of Vitablend .  “Vitablend’s expertise in developing and producing Protection and Fortification systems and Barentz Ingredients expertise in bakery and meat applications, will accelerate our product development.  This will lead to new exiting products and solutions for our customers.” 

“Our centers of excellence in pharma, bakery, meat and nutritional products have demonstrated their value in bringing innovative and technological support  to our customers.” according to Hidde van der Wal, CEO of Barentz Europe BV. “We continue to investment in our production division, as we believe them to be a corner stone in our continued growth of the group.”