FrieslandCampina to acquire cheese specialist Zijerveld from MYWO Food

Dutch dairy cooperative Royal FrieslandCampina has agreed to acquire cheese specialist Zijerveld and its packaging unit Den Hollander Food from MYWO Food for an undisclosed amount.

The deal, which is subject to customary closing conditions and regulatory approvals, will allow FrieslandCampina Cheese to offer its customers a wider range of cheese products and services.

The acquisition is part of the co-operative’s strategy to strengthen its presence in added value cheese products.

Royal FrieslandCampina chief executive officer Cees ‘t Hart said that the investment is in line with the company’s desire to become a preferred supplier in various market segments.

"Zijerveld complements our existing business in the pre-pack segment and contributes to further value growth for our customers, in particular in the fresh counter segment with speciality cheeses," said Hart.

Zijerveld, located in Bodegraven, provides Dutch-type and foreign cheeses, and also offers its customers customised concepts and logistics services.

The cheese specialist owns ripening warehouses and packaging and logistics locations, and employs about 300 people.

Zijerveld, which has annual sales of €400m, has three commercial divisions: ‘Retail’, ‘Traditional & Out of Home’ and ‘International Markets’.

Den Hollander Food, the packaging business unit of Zijerveld, owns 13 packaging lines and three grated cheese lines, and employs 140 people.

The business, which is based in Lochem, the Netherlands, focuses on sliced cheeses in various re-closable packages, and its products are primarily targeted towards large European retailers and other cheese producers.