Caldic Completes Acquisition of Nealanders International Inc.

The completion of this acquisition represents a significant step underlining Caldic’s strategy to become a leading global distributor for the food industry. Nealanders has 180 employees and produces a turnover of US$180 million.

3 Oct 2012 --- Caldic B.V., distributor and producer of food ingredients, chemicals and technical activities has completed the acquisition of Nealanders International Inc., a leading Northern American value add distributor of food ingredients. Caldic has branches all over Europe and Asia. The completion of this acquisition represents a significant step underlining Caldic’s strategy to become a leading global distributor for the food industry. Nealanders has 180 employees and produces a turnover of US$180 million. The acquisition will directly contribute to the result of Caldic.

Nealanders is Canada’s leading distributor and producer of food ingredients, providing a wide range of raw materials for the food and personal care market. The company’s facilities are located strategically throughout Canada with its headquarters in Toronto and subsidiaries in Vancouver, Montreal and Chicago (USA) providing a coast-to-coast network for distribution and technical sales. Nealanders focuses on providing product innovation to its customers with its comprehensive in-house laboratory capabilities for ingredients development and full technical and regulatory support.
Caldic’s core business is the distribution of chemicals and food ingredients. The company employs over 900 people and accounts show a turnover of USD 815 million in 2011. In recent years the company has demonstrated a strong focus on growing its business in the distribution of food ingredients. In 2011, over 25% of its activities were related to the food industry. With this acquisition, Caldic is underlining its strategy to become a leading global distributor for the food industry, as an inspiring and reliable partner with innovative and effective ingredient solutions. “With the presence and knowledge in the Northern America regions we are even better able to serve our customers and suppliers”, according to Mr. Olav van Caldenborgh, Chief Executive Officer of Caldic.

Also, the selling party Birch Hill Equity Partners is pleased to confirm the acquisition by Caldic. Mr. Paul Henry, Chairman of Nealanders and a partner at Birch Hill sees the Caldic- Nealanders combination as a perfect fit. The Nealanders team has been pursuing a growth strategy focused on being a trustworthy partner to its customers by offering innovative solutions while Caldic’s origins and successes in Europe have been built on its customer-centric culture. We are very pleased to transition the ownership to an organization that is so highly committed to its customers, supplier partners and employees.

Mr. Van Caldenborgh further commented “With this acquisition, I am very pleased to be able to offer our customers in both companies a comprehensive and balanced product portfolio, extended know-how and high quality products and services around the world.”

Caldic is an international distributor and producer for the chemical, food and technical sector with branches all over Europe and Asia, providing a wide range of high quality products and related services to many industries. Caldic adds value to its business by supplying additional services and by being a reliable and solid partner. Caldic imports and supplies food ingredients and provides extra value within the supply chain by offering personalized services. By distributing a complete range of food ingredients and natural products within all market segments, Caldic meets the needs of the highly demanding food market. Caldic also operates in the technical industry, with specific technical knowledge related to power transmission, technical energy and insulation. Caldic gives high-priority to all aspects of Quality, Health, Safety, Environment and Social Responsibility.

Nealanders is recognized as Canada’s leading food ingredient supplier, distributing a wide range of raw materials for the food and personal care market and specializing in the manufacture of antioxidants, release agents, bakery concentrates, dough conditioners and vitamin and mineral enrichment blends. There is a large commitment to safe and efficient global sourcing providing customers with superior quality products and very competitive pricing.