Barry Callebaut: to sell Stollwerck to Spanish Natra

Zurich / CH. (bc) Barry Callebaut AG and Natra S.A. have signed a memorandum of understanding whereby Barry Callebaut would transfer its consumer chocolate division Stollwerck to Natra. As a result of the transaction, Spanish Natra would become a significant private label chocolate maker in Europe with 2008 pro forma sales of around 850 million EUR. Barry Callebaut would focus on its core business with industrial and artisanal customers while becoming a minority shareholder of Natra. Barry Callebaut would supply a minimum of 85’000 tonnes per annum of liquid chocolate to Natra under a long-term outsourcing contract. The transaction is subject to certain conditions, in particular secured long-term financing.
Info: Natra and Barry Callebaut sign a memorandum of understanding regarding the combination of their European consumer chocolate businesses