M&As this week: Middleby Corporation, Kerry Group, Alibaba

The Middleby Corporation has bought Italy-based food industry and catering equipment manufacturer Firex Srl.

Middleby is a cooking equipment provider based in the US.

The transaction will enable Middleby to expand its product offering in the category of steam and sous vide cooking.

Kerry Group has acquired Harinas Y Semolas Del Noroeste (Hasenosas) with the aim of supplying high-quality products to its European consumers.

The deal also included the acquisition of two manufacturing facilities of Hasenosas located in Galicia and Castilla y Leon.

Based in Ireland, Kerry Group is a producer and distributor of beverage ingredients, concentrates and flavour products, while Hasenosas is a Spanish producer of glazes, marinades, sauces and fish mixes.

Alibaba Group Holding has announced plans to purchase the remaining 57% stake in Eleme Inc (Ele.me) from Baidu and other investors for $5.41bn.

Ele.me is an online food ordering platform, while Baidu is an internet search provider. All companies involved in the transaction are based in China.

The transaction will enable Alibaba Group to strengthen its delivery network.

Land O’ Frost has acquired Wellshire Farms, a US-based producer, and distributor of beef, pork and poultry products.

Land O’Frost will assume all the assets of Wellshire, including the entire brand portfolio as part of the acquisition.

Based in the US, Land O’Frost is a producer and seller of pre-sliced and pre-packaged lunch meats.

The acquisition will strengthen and expand Land O’Frost’s footprint in the natural/organic and meat industry.

The advisor to Land O’Frost for the acquisition is Bulkey Richardson.