Information for fruit and vegetables business in CIS
Oerlemans Foods company becomes a part of Dutch concern VION
Bordan Krynski, Commercial Director of Oerlemans Foods, told the journal Ice-cream and Frozen Products that both parties have already agreed on the merger which is to take place in October 2007. VION company specializes on the production of ready meat and fish dishes, and also veggy products.
The market of these products is developing very rapidly in Europe. Simultaneously the demand for a wide assortment of flash frozen vegetables is increasing. According to Mr. Krynski, thanks to Oerlemans Foods VION company will be able to provide optimal services for two largest market segments: the retail trade and HoReCa; it will supply a full assortment of flash frozen meat, fish, potato, vegetables and fruits.
Oerlemans Foods operates on such markets, which will become an excellent supplement for the markets exposed to VION activities. 50% of the company's turnover takes place on the territory of Holland, Germany and Great Britain. Also, Oerlemans Foods has achieved a very strong position on the dynamically developing markets of Eastern Europe.
Oerlemans Foods was founded in 1975. At the present moment it owns two plants in Holland, two in Poland and one plant in Hungary, which are producing frozen vegetables. The company produces around 200,000 tons of frozen vegetables, including around 80,000 tons produced in Poland. The company's turnover amounts to around EUR 120 mln.
The company sells vegetables under own trademark "Oerlemans" in Holland, trademark "Keiser" in Germany and trademark "Bauer" in Poland and Russia. Also, the company packs vegetables under private labels of the other companies and the largest trade chains around Europe.
Oerlemans Foods started such production with Russian companies; "Skais" company with "Zimovye" trademark was the first among them. The cooperation with the distributing company "Inko" ("Kraski Leta" trademark), the largest in Russia, has been lasting for the third season. The joint work with the leader of Russian ice-cream producer, Inmarko company, started past season ("Yest Idea" trademark). Vegetables under "Pyatiy Sezon" trademark have been produced for Tander company for the third season ("Magnit" trade chain). This season frozen vegetables under Green Village trademark entered "Kopeyka" shops. These vegetables are also produced on Polish plant Oerlemans Foods in Semyatych.
VION is the international food concern, which produces high quality and modern food products. Annual turnover of the company amounted to EUR 7.4 billion. 15,150 persons work on all enterprises of this company.
Bogdan Krynski believes after the merger the companies will support each over in the sphere of new products development, logistics, marketing and sales.
"All positions in Oerlemans Foods will stay unchanged; the persons in charge will care about the smooth integration of both companies.
The merger program guarantees the continuity and standard high service quality for our clients; all the obligations will be unconditionally fulfilled" Mr. Krynski emphasizes.