The merger between Ardo and Dujarding has been approved by the competition authorities without restrictions, in all countries where the two companies operate.
“Due to the legal and financial steps that still need to be finalized, the official merger will not take place until the 31st of December 2014. In the meantime, we shall focus on our strategy, organization, and an implementation plan that will bring together our potential synergies for maximum benefit,” said Ardo in a statement.
The new group will be called Ardo and will sell a broad range of fresh frozen vegetables & fruit, and fresh frozen herbs & ingredients. Ardo will operate 20 production, packing and distribution units in eight European countries, and will employ around 3,800 people. The company will grow, freeze and sell around 805,000 tonnes worldwide, with an estimated consolidated turnover of EUR815m.
“Our primary objective is for the new Ardo to continue to develop as a financially successful business, which invests in the future. Our ambition here, which will enable us to achieve this objective, is to expand and further strengthen our already market-leading position in fresh frozen vegetables & fruit, fresh frozen herbs & ingredients, through a dedicated segment-specific approach for Retail, Foodservice and Industrial customers,” said Ardo.