July 2/Zug, Switzerland/Press Release -- Wild Flavors GmbH completed its acquisition of Cargill’s global juice cold blends and compounds business. The transaction, first announced April 17, 2012, is a key step in the company’s global growth strategy and further strengthens its position as the leading natural ingredients company for the food and beverage industry.

“Combining our expertise with the capabilities of the newly acquired business enables Wild to offer the most complete product portfolio in the global juice business," said Michael H. Ponder, CEO of Wild Flavors. “This further supports Wild Flavors’ unique market position as the truly single source of supply for all of the natural ingredients our customers need to produce a high-quality, finished beverage product."

Wild will have a much broader product portfolio and will be the ideal partner to its customers at all stages of the developing process for new juice-based beverages. The acquisition adds a global network of three production and storage facilities with direct sea access in Japan, the Netherlands and the U.S. to Wild Flavors’ existing operations. This differentiated and integrated supply chain is an essential asset to meet the fast-growing demand for fruit juices in these geographical areas over the coming years.

 From the July 5, 2012, Prepared Foods Daily News