Erhvervsinvest agrees purchase of European Freeze Dry from DLG

The Danish private equity fund Erhvervsinvest has agreed to purchase European Freeze Dry from the agricultural co-operative DLG. The divestment of the market-leading company is part of the DLG Group’s strategy to focus on its core business areas of farm supplies, vitamins and minerals and the services and energy sector.

“This is another important step in strengthening our core business and we are pleased to pass on the ownership of this company. As Erhvervsinvest are committed to investing in the continued development of the company and its employees, we feel confident that we have found the right buyer,” says Kim Balle, CFO of the DLG Group.

Erhvervsinvest’s Managing Partner and CEO, Thomas Marstrand, is pleased with the acquisition of the company.

“European Freeze Dry are market leaders in their field, and we believe there is a significant potential in letting them develop organically as well as through further acquisitions. We look forward to continuing the company’s impressive development from the already strong foundation that has been created by the managements and employees.”

European Freeze Dry is a leading European supplier of freeze drying products and services with factories in Denmark and England. The Company freeze dries a variety of products for several industries, including the supply of freeze dried ingredients, freeze dried ready meals, and contract drying of products such as bacterial cultures and enzymes.

Freeze drying is one of the most effective drying methods as it lets products retain the taste, vitamins, nutritional value and other critical properties.  At the same time, it ensures a very long shelf life. European Freeze Dry has developed significant product and process know-how over more than 50 years in the freeze drying industry, and are trusted supply partners to a range of market-leading customers.

Erhvervsinvest

The private equity group Erhvervsinvest invests in and develops small and medium-sized companies in connection with succession and ownership changes.  Their portfolio of businesses includes Mejerigaarden A/S (www.premieris.dk), who are Denmark’s largest manufacturer of ice cream products under the Premier Ice, Polar Ice and Bravissimo brands.

Investors in Erhvervsinvest are leading blue-chip financial institutions in Denmark.