Deals this week: The J M Smucker Company, Parag Milk Foods, Vertas Group Limited

The J M Smucker Company has signed an agreement to sell its US baking business to Brynwood Partners’ subsidiaries Brynwood Partners VII and Brynwood Partners VIII for $375m.

Brynwood Partners will be granted the exclusive US distribution rights for J M Smucker’s brands under the deal, which include Pillsbury, Martha White, Hungry Jack, White Lily and Jim Dandy.

The transaction is scheduled for completion in the second quarter of the 2019 fiscal year and is subject to customary closing conditions and regulatory approvals.

Holland & Knight LLP has been appointed as legal advisor to Brynwood Partners for the deal.

The J M Smucker Company is a manufacturer of fruit spreads and peanut butter, while Brynwood Partners is a private equity firm.

All of the companies involved in the transaction are based in the US.

Parag Milk Foods has collaborated with ColoPlus to launch a natural immunity booster product named Go Colo Power in India.

Go Colo Power is a colostrum-based product, which is made using ColoPlus’ patented technology and helps to improve immunity and strengthen the digestive system.

India-based Parag Milk Foods is a dairy farming company, while ColoPlus is a Swedish biotechnology company that specialises in the research and development of colostrum-based products.

The strategic collaboration is expected to enable Parag to expand its product portfolio within the health and nutrition segment.

Vertas Group Limited has completed the acquisition of Bury St Edmunds-based Churchill Catering.

The transaction is expected to enable Vertas to become a national contract catering provider and will facilitate the company’s expansion into the commercial and leisure market.

Vertas is a multi-service facilities management firm, while Churchill Catering Limited is a catering services company.

Both companies involved in the transaction are based in the UK.

Canada-based asset management company EnWave Corporation has entered a commercial royalty-bearing license agreement with Danish dairy producer Arla Foods.

EnWave received an equipment purchase order from Arla for the installation of a radiant energy vacuum (REV) machine to scale-up production at the company’s dairy facility following the license agreement.

Arla will be granted the exclusive rights to use radiant energy vacuum technology in Denmark, Sweden, Finland and Norway via the latest agreement.

Bonduelle has acquired Canadian Del Monte’s processed fruit and vegetable business from Conagra Brands for C$43m ($32m).

The acquisition is expected to be a complementary addition to Bonduelle Americas Long Life unit’s canned and frozen vegetable business.

France-based Bonduelle is a processed vegetables producer, while Del Monte is a US-based supplier of fresh and prepared produce.