M&As this week: Conagra Brands, Saputo, Little Freddie

Conagra Brands has acquired Pinnacle Foods for $10.9bn to fortify its presence in the frozen food and snack segment.

Conagra Brands is a leading branded food company, while Pinnacle Foods is a packaged foods business. Both companies involved in the transaction are based in the US.

The transaction enables Conagra Brands to take ownership of Pinnacle Foods’ portfolio, which includes Birds Eye, Duncan Hines, Earth Balance and EVOL, Erin’s, and Gardein.

Saputo has agreed to acquire the activities of F&A Dairy Products for C$111m ($85m).

Based in Canada, Saputo is a manufacturer of dairy items including cheese, milk, cream and cultured products.

Founded in 1965, F&A Dairy Products is a natural cheese manufacturer with production facilities in New Mexico and Wisconsin, US.

Hillhouse Capital and VMG Partners have completed the acquisition of Little Freddie for an undisclosed amount.

Established in 2014, Little Freddie is a European organic baby food manufacturer. It offers a range of products including pouches, cereals and snacks for children.

The transaction is part of the companies’ strategic partnership to co-invest in innovative consumer brands and expand its reach globally.

Little Freddie intends to use the funds for expansion in China and the UK.

A Peak Rock Capital affiliate has acquired Pretzels for an undisclosed amount.

Based in the US, Peak Rock Capital is a middle-market private equity firm, while Pretzels is a supplier of snack products.

The latest transaction is the Peak Rock’s ninth investment in the food and beverage industry.

KNPC Holdco (Kar’s Nuts) has merged with Morley Candy Makers (Sanders).

Kar’s Nuts is a manufacturer of nut and trail mix snacks, while Sanders is a producer of premium confections, artisanal chocolates, baked goods, dessert toppings and ice cream.

A platform will be established to offer premium trail mix, nuts and confectionary products across three brands.

The transaction allows Sanders to distribute its products across the US and offers Kar’s Nuts additional manufacturing and product innovation capabilities.

The employees of both firms will be retained and Sanders will operate as own division within the combined entity.

Cherkizovo will acquire a 75% stake in GK Samson for an undisclosed amount.

Cherkizovo is the biggest meat producer in Russia, while GK Samson is a producer of finished meat.