Brenntag acquires A1 Cake Mixes and Kluman and Balter

German chemical distribution firm Brenntag has entered the UK’s food ingredients distribution market with the acquisition of A1 Cake Mixes and Kluman and Balter.

The two companies currently offer distribution services to the bakery supply chain, connecting a diverse range of ingredients.

Brenntag Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA) CEO Karsten Beckmann said: “With this acquisition, Brenntag UK and Ireland will significantly strengthen its footprint in the country’s very attractive food and nutrition sector that is one of our focus industries in the EMEA.

“The companies provide value-added services that perfectly complement Brenntag’s proposition to customers including new product development and technical competence and support based on deep insight into market requirements and trends.”

Brenntag Group mergers and acquisitions (M&A) managing director Anthony Gerace said: “The UK bakery ingredients and cake mixes market is expected to continue to grow, benefiting from positive consumer trends such as increasing demand for gluten, lactose or other free-from goods.

“In addition, the companies focus on higher value products and channels like artisanal bakers, in-store bakeries and foodservice thus creating further growth potential.”

Brenntag anticipates that the acquisitions could generate total sales of nearly £77.5m in this financial year.