January 24/Haifa, Israel/PR Newswire Europe -- Frutarom Industries Ltd. announced the signing of an agreement to acquire the activity and assets of the British East Anglian Food Ingredients Ltd. (EAFI) for the amount of approximately $4.8 million. EAFI's turnover for the 12 months ending December 2010 is expected to total $8.4 million). The acquisition will be self-financed. Frutarom estimates that the deal will be completed within a number of weeks.

Founded in 1979, EAFI develops, manufactures, and markets savory taste solutions (the non-sweet taste spectrum). Its product range includes flavors, seasoning compounds and functional ingredients for the food industry with a specialization in the sectors of convenience food, snacks, and processed meat and fish. Among the assets being acquired is EAFI's operational facility in the U.K. which houses the company's R&D, marketing and manufacturing capabilities. EAFI employs roughly 35 employees and serves a broad customer base. EAFI's activities are synergetic with Frutarom's current activities in the U.K. and with Frutarom's savory competencies in Europe, which have grown significantly in recent years following a number of acquisitions in the sector. These acquisitions include the savory activity of Chr. Hansen, Gewurzmuller and Nesse in Germany (acquired in 2009, 2007 and 2006, respectively) along with the recent purchase of the Scandinavian savory activity of Rieber a few weeks ago.

According to president and chief executive officer of Frutarom, Ori Yehudai, "The acquisition of EAFI is a continuation of Frutarom's rapid growth strategy and another step in the fulfillment of its vision 'to be the preferred partner for tasty and healthy success.' This acquisition bolsters Frutarom's presence and positioning as a leading global producer of flavors in general and of savory solutions in particular. It strengthens both Frutarom's technological capabilities and its comprehensive product offering to our customers in the fields of savory flavors and functional foods around the world. The acquisition of EAFI will allow Frutarom to widen its global customer base via a stronger entrance into the U.K. market. Frutarom is the leading local flavor manufacturer in the U.K.; however, until now, our main focus in that market has been on the sweet spectrum of flavors. The addition of EAFI rounds out the Frutarom portfolio, increasing the range of solutions that we can offer to food manufacturers in the United Kingdom. The global market for savory flavors is growing as a result of trends in improved quality-of-life and changes in consumer behavior. Accordingly the consumption of processed and convenience foods has grown both inside and outside of the home. Frutarom has identified the savory sector as an important growth engine and is investing in the development of unique and innovative products of high added value in its sites around the world." says Yehudai.

"Frutarom has a proven track record in the execution of successful acquisitions, utilizing operational and business synergies between Frutarom and the acquired party, and taking advantage of cross-selling opportunities that arise as a result. We are confident that this acquisition will also continue Frutarom's rapid and profitable growth, creating value for our customers, employees, and investors."

Yehudai concludes, "We are continuing to pursue additional strategic acquisitions and implementing our rapid growth strategy combining internal profitable growth with strategic acquisitions. This combination will allow us to again double Frutarom's turnover within the next four years to $1 billion. Our sturdy capital structure, low net debt level and the strong cash flow we achieve, along with the support of leading banks, will allow us to continue executing acquisitions."

From the February 7, 2011, Prepared Foods E-dition