Lallemand: acquires U.K. yeast business from Lesaffre

Montreal / CA. (lm) Lallemand Inc. announces the completion of the acquisition from Cie des Levures Lesaffre of the company GB Ingredients Limited (GBI). GBI operates a yeast business in the United Kingdom and Ireland from its factory based in Felixstowe. The Felixstowe yeast plant is one of only two existing bakers´ yeast plants in the UK and is also the largest one, with capacities to produce bakers´ and distillers´ fresh cream and compressed yeasts as well as instant dry yeast for the European and world markets. This acquisition, which follows the acquisition of the GBI businesses in Spain and Portugal last month (see 2009-07-02), gives Lallemand as significant a presence in Europe as in North America. Combined with its leading positions in Southern Africa and in Specialty yeast markets, these recent acquisitions underline Lallemand´s commitment to investing in the ongoing development of world yeast markets.

Lallemand Inc. is a privately held Canadian company specializing in the research, development, production, marketing and distribution of yeast and bacteria. Lallemand has approximately 2’200 employees located in more than 30 countries on all continents.