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Frutarom buys into India

19 May 2015

Frutarom is continuing with its rapid growth strategy with the acquisition of 60% of the Indian flavours and fragrances company Sonarome for $17.2 million. The purchase agreement includes an option for Frutarom to acquire the remaining balance of shares starting two years from now at a price conditional on the company’s business performance. Sonarome, which […]

Frutarom buys into India

flag-india-national-was-adopted-its-present-form-meeting-constituent-assembly-held-july-35124085Frutarom is continuing with its rapid growth strategy with the acquisition of 60% of the Indian flavours and fragrances company Sonarome for $17.2 million. The purchase agreement includes an option for Frutarom to acquire the remaining balance of shares starting two years from now at a price conditional on the company’s business performance.

Sonarome, which was founded in 1981, has seen sales grow quickly in recent years at a double-digit annual rate, reaching $12 million in 2014. The company’s manufacturing, marketing, and research and development are based in Bangalore, India where it has additional production capacity. In addition to its activities in India, Sonarome has extensive activity in about 20 African markets, particularly in Nigeria, South Africa, Ethiopia, Kenya and Mozambique, which also constitute key growing target markets in Frutarom’s growth strategy. Sonarome has a broad customer base that includes global and local food and beverages manufacturers.

“The acquisition of Sonarome is the continuation of the Frutarom Group’s implementation of its rapid growth strategy and realization of its vision ‘to be the preferred partner for tasty and healthy success,” said Ori Yehudai, President and CEO of Frutarom. “Frutarom has set itself the goal of expanding its activity in the emerging high-growth markets of India and Africa, both through internal growth and by means of acquisitions. The acquisition of Sonarome, one of India’s leading domestic companies in the field of flavors and fragrances, is another key step towards attaining this goal.”

“Combined with Sonarome’s activity, Frutarom will continue to develop and deepen its presence in the important markets of India and Africa, capitalize on Sonarome’s R&D and sales and marketing platform and integrate it with Frutarom’s global R&D and sales and marketing infrastructure in order to leverage and realize the many cross-selling opportunities arising from this acquisition. We will also work towards leveraging Sonarome’s production and supply chain capabilities to accelerate our growth in India”

“The acquisition of Sonarome will provide Frutarom with the advantages of a global manufacturer having a local R&D and production platform in cutting delivery time and improving service to customers in the region. It will also contribute towards accelerating the momentum of expanding activity in the growing markets of Africa where Frutarom began independent operations four years ago, which also gained a boost with the acquisition of JanDeRee in South Africa about two years ago. In addition to its flavors activity, Sonarome maintains an excellent and growing infrastructure for activity in the field of fragrances as well, particularly in India and the emerging markets of Africa, and Frutarom will work towards utilizing this infrastructure in penetrating additional emerging markets.”

“Frutarom’s workforce following the acquisition will benefit from a substantial boost and reinforcement by experienced and efficient managers and employees at every level. Sonarome’s outstanding, strong, and seasoned management team will contribute to Frutarom from its rich experience and together with it will lead towards continued and accelerated growth in India and Africa.”

“Thanks to Frutarom’s proven experience in executing acquisitions and realizing the synergetic opportunities inherent in combining the acquired activities with its own, we are certain that this acquisition too will contribute to Frutarom’s continued rapid and profitable growth and generate top value for our customers, employees and investors,” concluded Yehudai. “Sonarome is our fourth acquisition this year as we continue to search out and perform further strategic acquisitions of companies and operations in our fields of activity, with special focus on activities and markets exhibiting high rates of growth.”