Munich, Germany-headquartered private equity firm Emeram Capital Partners GmbH is now the majority owner of Frostkrone Beteiligungs GmbH, having purchased the shareholding from Paris-based Ardian on February 24. Terms of the transaction, which remains subject to antitrust approval by authorities, were not disclosed.
Headquartered in Rietberg, Germany, Frostkrone employs 187 people engaged in the manufacturing, marketing and distribution of an extensive line of frozen finger foods produced at two factories in East Westphalia. The assortment ranges from cheese-based items such as mozzarella sticks and brie wedges, to vegetable nuggets, corn burgers and jalapeno snacks, to meat and fish-based fare including poultry skewers teriyaki and fish finger habeneros, to ethnic items such as Bavarian Leberkase in beer batter, Thai shrimp specialties and banana in batter.
In business since 1997, the company’s portfolio of more than 60 products is sold to food retailers, quick service restaurant chains and other foodservice operators in over 30 countries. Its client list includes a leading retail food discounter and one of the world’s largest fast food chains.
“In recent years we have taken comprehensive internal measures, such as establishing a new innovation department and professionalizing our processes, to position Frostkrone for future international growth,” said CEO Frédéric Dervieux. “We have established ourselves as Europe’s innovation leader for frozen finger food, and it still has huge growth potential for the years to come.”
Dr. Christian Näther, founding partner of Emeram Capital Partners, commented: “In the frozen finger food market we are seeing many growth trends that apply to all sales channels in almost all countries. Frédéric Dervieux and his team have succeeded in building an outstanding position in this niche. As the undisputed leader in innovation and quality, Frostkrone is uniquely placed to generate further growth in the European frozen finger food market.”
Dervieux took over as chief executive officer in 2013, following Ardian’s investment in the company the year before. He has more than 20 years of experience in the international food business, having held key positions at Nestlé, Humana and DMK Eis GmhH.
