Houston / TX. (epg) Ebro Foods S.A. announced the upcoming merger of its U.S. rice and pasta companies, Riviana Foods Inc., American Rice, Inc. and New World Pasta Company, creating the largest manufacturer and marketer of rice products and the second largest producer and distributor of pasta products in the United States. The merger will be effective on January 01, 2017.
In 2004, Spanish Ebro Foods, the global leader in the rice sector and the second leading pasta manufacturer in the world, entered the U.S. market with its acquisition of Riviana Foods which purchased American Rice in 2011. Since 2006, when Ebro Foods acquired New World Pasta, the companies have been integrating their businesses and taking advantage of synergies to benefit their customers and consumers.
«We have successfully brought together the core strengths of the companies including an extensive portfolio of brands and products», said Bastiaan de Zeeuw, President and CEO of the merged companies. «In addition, by combining our operations and distribution networks, we will even better fulfil our commitment to customer service, product quality, better efficiencies, innovation and growth».
The merged companies will carry on the Riviana Foods name and be headquartered in Houston, Texas with a satellite office in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. Together the companies have manufacturing facilities in seven states and in Canada through Riviana Foods’ subsidiary, Catelli Foods Corporation. Catelli Foods is the largest pasta manufacturer and distributor in Canada with offices located in Toronto, Canada. The sales revenue of the combined company totals approximately 1.5 billion USD.
