M&As this week: Kerry, Richardson International, Servolux

Kerry has agreed to acquire Ariake USA and Southeastern Mills’ (SEM) North American coatings and seasonings business for €325m ($360m).

Ariake USA is the North American business of Ariake Japan Co and produces natural savoury taste solutions derived from pork, poultry and vegetables. It uses specialised extraction technologies and development capabilities for producing tailored solutions.

The transaction enables Kerry to expand its taste and clean label portfolio, while also improving its product offerings.

It will also strengthen Kerry’s position in the foodservice market.

Richardson International has agreed to acquire Wesson oil brand for an undisclosed sum.

Based in Canada, Richardson is an agriculture and food processing company, while Wesson oil brand is currently owned by Conagra Brands.

The transaction enables Richardson to develop its food business and position itself as a vertically-integrated canola processor.

Richardson also intends to buy a 280,000ft² Wesson production facility in Memphis, Tennessee.

The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) will invest €10m ($11.3m) for the acquisition of a minority stake in Servolux.

Headquartered in Belarus, Servolux is a privately-owned agricultural group with a presence in segments such as poultry, processed meat, dairy products and animal fodder production.

The investment will be used for constructing a meat processing facility in Smolevichi with a production capacity of 70t a day.

Servolux will also build a 6.58MW combined cooling, heat and power unit (CCHP) for the processing facility, which will reduce annual carbon emissions by 6,200t.

The project is eligible for a grant under the EBRD’s Finance and Technology Transfer Centre for Climate Change (FINTECC) programme.