91 Acquisitions in April

2021’s high level of food and drink industry transactions continued in April, with 91 recorded in the Zenith Global mergers and acquisitions database.

4 amounted to more than $500 million, including 3 over $1 billion and 1 over $5 billion.

• $5,750 million in nutrition for Switzerland’s Nestlé to buy Bountiful in the United States from Kohlberg Kravis Roberts private equity
• $4,300 million in equipment for Middleby to acquire Welbilt in the United States
• €2,250 million in packaging for US based KPS private equity to purchase 80% of Crown Holdings’ EMEA unit
• $950 million in spices for Singapore’s Olam International to take over Olde Thompson in the United States from Kainos private equity.

Within the 91 total, 15 were in alcohol, 9 in ingredients, 7 in packaging, 5 in soft drinks, 4 in equipment and 4 in food delivery. The combination of meat-free, plant-based and plant-based seafood accounted for another 7, with cell-based adding a further 2.

50 took place inside individual countries, including 34 in the United States, 5 in the United Kingdom, 4 in Canada and 3 in France.

41 were international, involving 25 countries.

Of the 91 total, the United States featured in 57, the United Kingdom in 12, Canada in 9, France in 8, Finland in 5 and Germany in 4.