Acquisition of Shwan European Frozen Pizza by Dr Oetker UK

DATE
December 2008

TRANSACTION TYPE
Corporate Acquisition

VALUE
£ Undisclosed

SECTOR
Food & Beverage

Spayne Lindsay & Co. LLP advises Dr Oetker UK Ltd on the acquisition of Schwan’s Europe Frozen Pizza Business.

Dr Oetker UK has agreed terms to acquire the European frozen pizza business from USA based, The Schwan Food Company (“Schwan’s“). Dr. Oetker is acquiring Schwan’s UK pizza plant based in Leyland, Lancashire, Schwan’s business in 15 European countries, the “Chicago Town” trademark, and licences for the “Freschetta” and “Tony’s” trademarks. Schwan’s plant in Osterweddingen near Magdeburg, Germany is to be acquired by Freiberger Group who have finalised a supply agreement with Dr Oetker to manufacture branded pizza products to sell across Europe.

Dr. Oetker will integrate the Leyland plant into their UK division and will continue production at Leyland. Peter Franks, UK managing director of frozen and chilled foods at Dr Oetker, said: “Dr Oetker is the biggest manufacturer of pizza in Europe and the addition of the Schwan’s portfolio is complementary to our current range of pizzas. We feel that the acquisition creates a complete frozen pizza business, giving us presence in all sectors of the UK’s frozen pizza market and providing us with a UK production base.”

Dr Oetker is one of Germany’s leading privately-owned diversified industrial groups, with strong positions in its core business areas across Europe. Within the food industry, Dr Oetker has developed market leading positions in pizzas, yoghurts and desserts.

Spayne Lindsay advised Dr Oetker on this transaction.