Frutarom Acquires CitraSource to Strengthens its Position in Citrus Flavors

25 Feb 2014 --- Frutarom Industries Ltd., one of the world's ten largest flavor and fine ingredients houses, continues executing on its strategy of achieving rapid and profitable growth and announces the acquisition of the business and assets of CitraSource based in Florida, USA for a consideration of US$7.5 million plus an additional future payment conditional upon CitraSource's performance in the years 2014-2018.

“This acquisition of CitraSource certainly helps us expand into the US, where most of CitraSource’s current customers are based but it will also support our organic expansion efforts in the US and other markets, where there is high demand for natural and healthy products,” a spokesman told Food Ingredients First. “Frutarom was always a strong player in citrus, where its business originates. This acquisition expands and strengthens Frutarom global citrus capabilities and allows us to have better local presence to serve the Americas. Having strong integration capabilities on raw material is very important in the F&F industry as it is the single largest cost item and has substantial impact on the quality and price of the end products.”

CitraSource specializes in R&D, manufacturing, marketing and selling of unique solutions in citrus specialty ingredients to major players in the global flavor and fragrances market as well as to the food and beverage industries.

Frutarom is a leading global developer and producer of specialty citrus solutions, and is continually investing in innovative, unique technologies for processing, extracting and refining of citrus fruits. This acquisition aims to accelerate Frutarom's abilities in developing and producing advanced taste and health solutions, giving Frutarom an important competitive advantage.

“Citrus is an essential ingredient for many flavor products, ours and our competitors, and also an important one for many food and beverages products with beverages having higher dependency,” explained the spokesman. “Beverages, according to industry forecasts, is expected to grow faster than the industry and is therefore, and always has been, a special area of focus for Frutarom. Beverages companies want to present their customers with natural, healthy and tasty drinks, many of which are citrus flavoured (orange, lemon, lime, grapefruit). Having strong R&D, sourcing, processing and selling capabilities in citrus, both from Israel and Florida – two world centers for citrus – will help Frutarom benefit from the expected growth in the beverages market.”

CitraSource's revenues in 2013 were about $7 million. CitraSource's customers include leading global flavors, food and beverage players. CitraSource's knowhow, expertise and capabilities across all ranges of citrus (Orange, Grapefruit, Lemon, Lime and Tangerine) will expand Frutarom's natural ingredients portfolio and together with CitraSource's worldwide sourcing network will add to Furtarom's leadership position in the market of production and selling of citrus specialty, an essential ingredient for flavors and many food and beverages products.

The CitraSource assets acquired, include a manufacturing facility and a refrigerated tank farm for storing different types of raw materials including citrus specialty, and inventory. These will be integrated into Frutarom's global supply chain and production infrastructure and will contribute to the expansion and strengthening of Frutarom's global purchasing system.

Combining CitraSource's extensive knowhow and R&D capabilities in citrus specialty, its innovation and marketing with Frutarom's knowhow and customer base will allow Frutarom to establish another global center of excellence in citrus and provide its customers with innovative added value products and comprehensive solutions tailor made to their special needs.

Ori Yehudai, President and CEO of Frutarom: "Frutarom is a leading global manufacturer of specialty citrus solutions, and the acquisition of CitraSource is another step in the execution of our strategy of achieving rapid and profitable growth based on natural and healthy products. Frutarom started its activity in 1933 by growing and developing citrus based solutions in Israel. Citrus specialty remains an important part of our business and is considered an important contributor to our success. The strengthening of our control over the sourcing of our raw materials (back integration) which CitraSource brings us, will further enhance our leadership position in the market for citrus specialty ingredients and will allow us to expand our product portfolio and provide added value to our customers.”

CitraSource managers, Mr. Niv Ben Yehuda and Mr. Randy Aulick have between them extensive experience in R&D, operations, purchasing, sales and marketing of specialized citrus and bring with them extensive worldwide contacts in the global citrus industry. Mr. Ben Yehuda and Mr. Aulick will continue managing CitraSource activity, supporting Frutarom's efforts in growing its global citrus business. CitraSource's activity will be consolidated into Frutarom's Fine Ingredients Activity.