Orkla acquires Hans Kaspar in Switzerland

Orkla Food Ingredients has entered into an agreement to purchase the Swiss company Hans Kaspar, thereby strengthening its position in confectionery and ice cream ingredients.

“Hans Kaspar offers high-quality, specialty ingredients based on natural raw materials, adapted to modern consumer trends. As a well-established company, with a long history, Hans Kaspar has customer relationships with several of Europe’s leading chocolate and ice cream manufacturers. The company has a strong position in a segment that Orkla knows well through our ingredients business,” says Orkla President and CEO Jaan Ivar Semlitsch.

Hans Kaspar is a leading specialist in the manufacture of specialty ingredients for chocolate and ice cream producers. The company’s headquarters and production facilities are located outside Zurich, Switzerland. More than half of the company’s revenues are from international sales.

The business will be integrated into the Orkla Food Ingredients business area and become part of OV Group (formerly Orchard Valley Foods), joining companies like Candeco, Confection by Design and Cake Décor.

“Hans Kaspar will expand OV Group’s geographical footprint and will enable OV Group to grow its position in Europe in line with Orkla Food Ingredients’ strategy. At the same time, Hans Kaspar’s premium products will complement OV Group’s existing product portfolio,” says Johan Clarin, Orkla EVP and CEO of Orkla Food Ingredients.

Hans Kaspar was established in 1925 and currently has 31 employees. The company’s turnover totalled CHF 13.3 million (approx. NOK 125 million) in 2020.

Hans Kaspar’s senior executives will remain in the company after completion of the transaction and will jointly with Orkla Food Ingredients work to ensure the company’s growth and continued success as a Swiss quality ingredients producer.

The transaction is expected to be completed during third quarter 2021.

The parties have agreed not to disclose the purchase price.