Orkla Food Ingredients (OFI), a portfolio company of Norwegian group Orkla, has agreed to acquire 100% of Freunde der Erfrischung (FDE) from its current owner.
The financial details of the acquisition were not disclosed.
FDE specialises in providing sugar-free slush syrups, slush machines, disposables, spare parts, and other products to customers in the amusement and quick-service restaurant sectors.
Last year, FDE achieved revenues of €5.7m. Headquartered in Bremen, Germany and established in 2004, the company operates with a team of 18 employees.
FDE owner and managing director Andreas Sahlke said: “With dedicated employees in all functions, we have developed FDE into a strong category player with a broad and satisfied customer base.
“I am very glad to have Nic Group, with their growth and development mindset, on board as a new owner which will offer our employees reliability and strong opportunities for personal development.”
Over the past few years, Sahlke and Karsten Demske have co-managed the company as managing directors.
In future, Demske will assume the role of CEO. Sahlke will remain with the company during this transitional phase.
Nic Group is a subsidiary of OFI which develops ice cream ingredients
Nic Group business development director Carl Diepenbroek said: “FDE operates in categories we are familiar with and serves customer segments we know well.
“Andreas and his team have done a tremendous job in developing the company and we are looking forward to supporting FDE to create an even stronger foundation to grow further in collaboration with the Nic Group.”
OFI supplies ingredients to a diverse range of customers in the bakery, ice cream, and plant-based markets. In 2023, Rhône acquired a 40% stake in OFI.
In April this year, Nic Finland, a part of Nic Group, signed and completed an agreement to acquire 100% of the shares in Snackfood.
