French yeast maker Lesaffre has acquired two companies to expand its presence in sourdoughs and baking ingredients market in Western Europe.
The acquisitions include LFI Tollblend in United Kingdom and Tecno Bakery in Spain.
Lesaffre CEO Antoine Baule said: “Lesaffre welcomes these acquisitions in two countries, United Kingdom and Spain, where we have been present for many years.
“Those are entirely in line with our strategic development objectives in the baking industry and will enable us to expand and strengthen our offer to our customers in terms of improvers and technical assistance for baking.”
Based in Worcester, UK, LFI Tollblend produces ingredient mixes for the baking and processed foods sectors.
Employing 35 people, the company also has a “gluten-free” production capability.
Tecno Bakery, which employs 15 people and has a manufacturing unit and a laboratory, is the second acquisition made by Lesaffre.
The company, located in Barcelona, Spain, specializes in the production of enzyme-based improvers and correctors for flour-milling.
Lesaffre UK & Ireland general manager Mike Abraham said: “Lesaffre is already present in the United Kingdom through DCL Yeast and Fermex and can now look forward to widening its bakery offering.”
Employing 120 people, Lesaffre is present in Spain since 1991 with a yeast plant based in Valladolid.
Recently, Lesaffre launched a new sourdough brand Livendo aimed at offering a wide choice of solutions with varied aromatic profiles for bakers.
Lesaffre Western Europe baking region general manager Vincent Saingier said: “We aim to offer an innovative range of bread ingredients and sourdough products alongside with our yeast in response to the various requirements facing our industrial and crafts customers.”
Earlier this month, Lesaffre inaugurated a new logistics center at the yeast production site in Sissa Trecasali, Parma, Italy.
