Hershey to Buy Van Houten Singapore Consumer Business from Barry Callebaut

Barry Callebaut will retain ownership of the well-known Van Houten brand and license the Van Houten brand name and trademarks to Hershey for use in relation to the sale of consumer products in Asia Pacific, the Middle East, and Australia/New Zealand.

11/03/09 Barry Callebaut, the world's leading manufacturer of high-quality cocoa and chocolate products, sold 100% of its consumer company in Asia, Van Houten Singapore, to The Hershey Company, effective February 28, 2009. While retaining ownership of the traditional Van Houten Brand, Barry Callebaut will grant to The Hershey Company a perpetual, exclusive license of the Van Houten brand name and related trademarks in Asia Pacific, the Middle East and Australia/New Zealand for consumer products. Barry Callebaut will continue to use the well-known Van Houten brand in its gourmet and vending mix business worldwide. The two parties did not disclose financial details of the transaction.

Divestiture of its Van Houten consumer chocolate business in Asia will allow Barry Callebaut to focus on its activities with industrial and gourmet customers in the region. Barry Callebaut will retain ownership of the well-known Van Houten brand and license the Van Houten brand name and trademarks to Hershey for use in relation to the sale of consumer products in Asia Pacific, the Middle East, and Australia/New Zealand.