ADM to Acquire UK’s FDL, Wisconsin’s Revela Foods

ADM, a global leader in human and animal nutrition, has reached an agreement to acquire UK-based FDL, a leading developer and producer of premium flavor and functional ingredient systems. ADM also is adding to its flavors capabilities with an agreement to acquire Revela Foods, a Wisconsin-based developer and manufacturer of innovative dairy flavor ingredients and solutions.

FDL, with projected 2023 sales of approximately $120 million, operates three production facilities and two customer innovation centers, all in the United Kingdom. The company’s approximately 235 colleagues, which include about 40 dedicated innovation specialists, have created more than 10,000 proprietary flavor formulations that enable accelerated speed to market. FDL’s customers span channels, and include a significant presence in the $900 billion European foodservice segment.

“Our ongoing investments to add to our flavors portfolio are helping power our strategic work to build a global leader in Nutrition,” said Calvin McEvoy, ADM’s president of global flavors. “FDL’s innovative and agile formulation knowledge, deep end-use applications expertise, and strong customer base make them a great addition to ADM’s global flavor capabilities. We are incredibly impressed by the FDL team, and we believe both companies will benefit from each other as we work to expand our reach in key channels, particularly foodservice.”

Eric Beatty, CEO of FDL, said, “We are excited to enter into this agreement with ADM. They’re an ideal partner for us, with global nutrition and flavor capabilities that will provide new opportunities to strengthen FDL’s portfolio of taste and nutrition solutions. In turn, the FDL team looks forward to helping add to ADM’s broad offerings with our diverse portfolio of flavor and functional ingredient systems, IP, and capabilities, as well as the entrepreneurial spirit and innovativeness of human talent that has enabled FDL to become a differentiated market leader today. ADM is synonymous with the best in animal and human nutrition, and together, we look forward to delivering new and innovative ingredient solutions to our global customer base in the food and beverage industry.”

ADM is continuing to add to its broad portfolio of flavor ingredients and solutions as it builds a global leader in nutrition. Since acquiring WILD Flavors in 2014, ADM has added multiple new offerings to its flavors portfolio through acquisitions, including dairy via yesterday’s announcement of Revela Foods; savory via Eatem Foods; citrus via Florida Chemical Company and Erich Ziegler Citrus; and vanilla via Rodelle. The company has also expanded its flavors capabilities globally with acquisitions like Flavor Infusion South America; organic investments like its Pinghu, China, flavor production facility and the expansion of its Berlin flavor facility; and its growing network of innovation centers spanning Europe, Asia, Latin America and North America.

The acquisition is subject to customary closing conditions. ADM intends to complete the transaction by end of January.

Revela, with projected sales of almost $240 million in 2023, would add new capabilities to ADM’s global flavors portfolio in the $1.8 billion global dairy flavors segment, as well as the $3.2 billion savory flavors segment. Revela, a portfolio company of New Heritage Capital since 2019, has delivered rapid growth, driven by its innovative enzyme technology, which powers a broad range of clean-label dairy flavor formulations for multiple applications, from snacks and frozen meals to sauces, dressings, soups, seasonings and desserts. Revela’s approximately 400 colleagues operate three state-of-the-art production facilities in the U.S. Midwest.

“Revela has built a strong business around its unique range of dairy flavor ingredients and solutions for customers spanning major brands, retailers and food service,” said McEvoy. “ADM has a strong presence in the North America savory flavors segment, and we’re excited to work with the impressive Revela team to expand our opportunities there, bringing their technology and innovation together with our global capabilities to power our unparalleled range of ingredients and complete solutions for customers who are looking for great flavors and clean labels.”

“We are excited to partner with ADM to further Revela’s reputation as an innovative, turnkey provider of dairy flavor ingredients and solutions,” added Terry Schneider, Revela’s chief executive officer. “We believe joining the ADM family will allow us to offer even broader solutions to our customers and will provide our employees with even greater opportunities for advancement.”

“ADM’s integrated business model and unparalleled production and product application expertise power a portfolio of customizable, complete nutrition solutions that no other company can match,” said Ian Pinner, president of ADM’s Nutrition business. “Our flavors business is an important pillar of our Nutrition growth strategy, and we are continuing to add to our flavors pantry to ensure we remain the partner of choice for customers around the globe.”

The acquisition is subject to customary closing conditions and regulatory approvals. ADM intends to complete the transaction early in 2024.

For more news of interest to the food and beverage industry, subscribe to Gourmet News.