RFI and Barentz Combine Sourcing Activities Asia

This will strengthen the visibility of both organizations in Europe and Asia and offers a solid basis for further growth. With this move Barentz expects to become the European leader in sourcing food ingredients from Asia.

Dec 14 2011 --- Barentz Europe B.V. – Netherlands – will acquire a controlling stake in RFI (REWE Food Ingredients), Germany by January 2012. This will strengthen the visibility of both organizations in Europe and Asia and offers a solid basis for further growth. With this move Barentz expects to become the European leader in sourcing food ingredients from Asia.

The joint forces combine a lot of expertise in sourcing food ingredients from Asia. Both organizations deliver their products to food producers all over Europe and work according to European quality standards. The combination of their expertise in quality assurance, logistics and inventory management and the sum of their product portfolios form a good basis for further growth of their Asian sourcing business in Europe. RFI and Barentz are convinced that the combination of these sourcing activities provides the required scale to become one of the leading Asian sourcing distributors in Europe with a strong focus on food ingredients.

REWE Food Ingredients (RFI), Köln, founded in 1999 is a recognised specialist in the trade of food ingredients from Asia. RFI is, amongst others, the leading distributor in Tartaric Acid, Malic Acid and sweeteners in Europe. The company offers adequate services, logistics and inventory management to customers like food producers, pharmaceutical and animal nutrition companies. RFI shows a yearly increase in turnover, currently about EUR50 million per year.

The Barentz Group is a privately owned company founded in 1953 in Amsterdam, The Netherlands. Today Barentz has a leading Pan European position distributing ingredients and additives for the food, pharmaceutical & cosmetic, chemical and animal nutrition industries. The group has built long term relationships with worldwide suppliers and European producers and shows solid financial results. Barentz has its presence in 26 countries in Europe and employs more than 400 employees with an estimated turnover of more than 600 Mio Euro in 2011. Barentz’ drive is to further expand its positions within all four divisions all over Europe. This growth must be attained by providing innovative and creative solutions based on in depth knowledge of the markets, products and applications. Barentz owns 2 Centres of Excellence, 3 production locations, different laboratories and a sourcing office in Asia.

Barentz Sourcing Asia, established in 2004, is part of Barentz Europe B.V. and focuses on the sourcing of food ingredients from Asia. Barentz Sourcing Asia has its own office in Changzhou in China. Quality of the sourced ingredients is guaranteed by Lloyds certificated auditing teams that audit local suppliers with whom Barentz Sourcing has long term relationships.

Karsten Lätsch, Managing Director of RFI : “Working together with Barentz brings a lot of opportunities and synergies related to the purchasing of food ingredients and at the same time it offers RFI a broadened sales area through the 26 countries where Barentz has its presence.”

Hidde van der Wal, CEO of Barentz Europe B.V.: “RFI brings years of experience with regard to sourcing of food ingredients in Asia and has good relationships with top suppliers. Together we can develop more critical mass and can strengthen our cost leadership position. “