Cérélia Group, a French producer of rolled dough and pancakes, has acquired English Bay Batter LP, a Delta, BC based cookie specialist, from Kilmer Van Nostrand Co., Manulife Capital Inc. and BMO Capital Partners.
Liévin, France based Cerelia has been a portfolio company of IK Investment Partners since 2015.
Founded in 1983 by Jack Seguin, English Bay Batter (EBB) has developed a unique know-how producing cookies, muffins, brownies and other pastries. The company’s products are widely distributed in the US and Canada through Retail and Food-service channels. Building on its raw and cooked frozen products expertise, English Bay Batter recently and successfully launched a range of refrigerated dough products.
On September 5, 2014, Kilmer Van Nostrand Co. Limited, the private investment holding company of Larry Tanenbaum, along with Manulife Capital and BMO Capital Partners acquired the assets of English Bay Batter (2014) Ltd.
Cérélia said the acquisition is consistent with its growth strategy, based on the pooling of skills and market expertise. The acquisition will create an international group able to meet the needs of its historical clients by offering an enlarged range of products through three different distribution channels: Retail, Instore Bakery and Food-service. As part of the Cérélia group, EBB will further its development in the US and Canada thanks to substantial investment plans aimed at supporting innovation and industrial transformation. Conversely, EBB’s expertise in its market will enable Cérélia to broaden its product offering in Europe and Asia.
“English Bay Batter is a leading player in North America, which is a strategic market for Cerelia. Our two companies’ DNAs are comparable in all respects. We are happy to welcome the EBB team, knowing that our group is initiating a new phase of development,” said Cérélia’s CEO Guillaume Réveilhac.
Cérélia was advised by Lincoln International, Stikeman Elliott, Willkie Farr & Gallagher and Bain Consulting.
photo credit: Cerelia