Dr Oetker buys Belgian pudding brand Imperial

German food processor Dr. Oetker has acquired Imperial, a Belgian specialist in baking and dessert mixes, for an undisclosed fee from Spanish group GB Foods.

Growth in baking products

Dr Oetker and GB Foods held talks in the past about a possible acquisition of Imperial, but were not able to reach a deal earlier. Four years after acquiring Imperial owner Continental Foods, the Spanish group has now decided to sell off Imperial in order to only keep Continental’s savoury brands (the likes of Devos Lemmens (sauces), Royco (instant soups), Aïki (noodles) and Liebig. The Spanish group also keeps hold of the factory in Puurs (near Antwerp). “We will continue to invest in infrastructure, innovation and product development”, the company says.

The acquisition of Imperial is in line with Dr Oetker’s growth strategy, as the Germans have long been active in the same category: “The newcomer fits perfectly within our family group’s growth strategy and is a logical addition to our existing Belgian portfolio. Through the acquisition of Imperial, we will significantly strengthen our position within the baking products and dessert preparations market.”