Prinsen and Gustav Berning join forces to target “active nutrition”

21 Aug 2017 --- Dutch company Prinsen Food Group has announced that they are joining forces with German company Schokoladenfabrik Gustav Berning GmbH & Co. KG, one of the largest producers of high-quality protein food bars in Europe. Prinsen-Berning is a leading player in “active nutrition” Both Prinsen and Berning are companies with a long, rich history and originated as family businesses. 

Berning focuses on the production of ready-to-eat solid foods, such as high-quality protein bars for the sports and diet market. Prinsen develops powdered nutrition solutions such as sports, diet and wellness foods, coffee, cocoa drinks and creamers. 

Berning was founded in 1915 and produces a wide range of products, both for brand owners and private label. Prinsen and Berning focus on the same markets in Europe, where Berning also realizes a substantial part of its revenues in Asia and the United States. The company name and activities of Schokoladenfabrik Gustav Berning GmbH & Co. KG remain unchanged and will be part of the new holding Prinsen-Berning. The intended acquisition is subject to approval by the German competition authorities. 

Both Prinsen and Berning have their own R&D departments and a large-scale production capacity to facilitate the growing demand for "active nutrition." This category includes functional foods related to diet, active slimming, sports and wellness foods, enriched with protein. This market has demonstrated strong growth in Europe and worldwide. 
 
Both companies hold strong market positions for decades in development and production of nutrition for leading retailers and brand owners in Europe, the US and Asia. The newly formed company (PrinsenBerning) becomes one of Europe's largest companies in the field of active nutrition for brand owners and private label. The group employs around 400 employees and achieved revenues of approx. €125 million (US$146.7 million) in 2016. 
 
Category solutions for retailers and brand owners Prinsen-Berning have the ambition to further expand the leading position for instant and ready-to-eat foods. The combination of both companies offers retailers and brand owners a complete one-stop shop in Active Nutrition, where category expertise, product development and manufacturing of nutritional products serve the customer. 
 
Alexander Collot d'Escury, CEO of Prinsen Food Group, said: “I am impressed with the results, technical knowledge and the innovative character of the Berning organization and give a warm welcome to our German colleagues in the group. With the complementary acquisition of Berning, we are convinced that we can offer an even better proposition to our customers. The combination provides more R&D capabilities and we can offer a one-stop-shop solution to our customers. In addition, with the increased production capacity we can better respond to the fast-growing global market demand. With the demographic changes of an aging population and costs related to public health care continuously on the rise, the role of food becomes increasingly important. We already make a strong contribution in this area and will continue to do so. It is our international ambition to become the leading player in diet, sports and wellness nutrition in the instant and ready-to-eat segment for brand owners and private label.” 

Board of Berning takes part in group management Both Frank Tellmann and Markus Wessendarp, both CEOs of Berning, will be involved in Prinsen-Berning and take part in the newly formed group management headed by Alexander Collot d'Escury. 

Prinsen-Berning will produce from the existing production facilities of the group in Helmond (NL), Zwartsluis (NL) and Georgsmarienhütte (Germany). 
 
Markus Wessendarp, Co-CEO of Berning adds: “The merger has a big positive impact. It will mean that both Prinsen and Berning will get stronger because we become more attractive to get business on a global scale. In addition, the market in which we operate is growing rapidly and companies offering R&D and superior products on a world scale will have a brilliant future.” 
 
Frank Tellmann, CEO of Berning also commented: “We are excited to be part of Prinsen-Berning and strongly believe in the increased relevance of our category. Together we offer a complete and unmatched product portfolio in instant and ready-to-eat foods for a wide and growing range of international customers.”