News on Mergers and Acquisitions from Europe

Troostwijk Auctions launches six online auctions (18 Dec–15 Jan) to sell the full industrial assets of bankrupt Dutch potato processor CêlaVíta, offering high-quality potato processing, packaging and labelling machinery from leading brands.

The Simplot Company, a privately held global food and agriculture company headquartered in Boise, Idaho, has completed its acquisition of Clarebout Potatoes, a leading European producer of frozen potato products based in Belgium.

Kiremko, Idaho Steel & Reyco name Gerardo Chiaia as CEO and Kees van der Drift as CFO, marking a new growth phase under Investindustrial. The group unites to drive global innovation and leadership in food processing systems.

Produce Investments (PI) acquires Biofresh Safestore, a leader in fixed crop management. Combined with Restrain’s natural sprout suppression, the move expands PI’s tech portfolio, offering flexible, innovative storage solutions across Europe and beyond.

CêlaVíta, the Dutch chilled potato processor once owned by McCain, will not restart after bankruptcy. All 171 jobs are lost as the Wezep factory is dismantled and auctioned, marking the end of a well-known name in potato processing.

Royal HZPC Group plans to acquire Ireland-based IPM Potato Group, a leading seed potato breeder and exporter, boosting HZPC’s UK and global presence.

Royal Avebe acquires Solan, Poland’s leading potato flakes & granules producer. The move, part of Avebe’s 'Strengthen & Accelerate' strategy, expands its portfolio, adds 100+ staff & 140 farmers, and keeps SOLAN® brand under Avebe’s umbrella.

Investindustrial will acquire Kiremko, Idaho Steel, and Reyco, leading potato processing equipment makers. The deal unites 3 family-owned firms into a global platform, aiming for growth via integration, innovation, and expansion.

Following the recent announcement of CêlaVíta's bankruptcy, several companies have expressed interest in acquiring the Dutch producer of chilled potatoes. This raises cautious hopes for a possible restart, according to bankruptcy trustee Frans Aartsen.

Chilled Potato producer CêlaVíta has gone bankrupt. The Dutch company supplied pre-cut potatoes and pre-seasoned potato products to supermarkets, hotels, and restaurants throughout Europe.

Groupe Florimond Desprez (GFD) acquired DLF’s 49% stake in Danespo A/S, becoming majority owner. The move strengthens GFD’s seed potato business, aligning Danespo and Germicopa under shared leadership and future investments.

Clarebout Potatoes, a top Belgian frozen fries producer, is in advanced talks with US giant J.R. Simplot for a major deal, possibly worth billions. The move could expand both firms’ global reach amid rising industry competition.

Swiss technology group Bühler has acquired advanced puffing technology from Cerex to enhance its offerings for food, petfood, and feed applications. The acquisition, announced on 16 January, 2025.

The Fresh Potato Suppliers Association (FPSA) was established in 2009 to represent the fresh sector of the potato industry bringing together fresh packers and suppliers to retail.

Belgian machine builder Sticomax, the holding company above the companies IntOCon (BE), StuMaCo (BE), Romonta (NL), ViwateQ (NL) and DutchTecSource (NL), is acquiring Dutch sector colleague FoodeQ Engineering. 

Sormac, the leading supplier of machines, entire processing lines and turnkey solutions for the fresh-cut fruit and vegetable industry acquires a majority stake in the German food technology manufacturer Foodcons.

AKP Group, one of the UK’s leading potato supply chain specialists, has announced the acquisition of Yorkshire-based Whole Crop Marketing Ltd (WCM), further enhancing the group’s position as a trusted partner in the UK potato sector.

APH Group, a distributor of agricultural equipment and installations, has acquired Kontrol-Pro in Serbia. This expansion will establish a new entity, APH Group Balkans d.o.o., which will take full responsibility for sales, service and distribution from Serbia.