Aryzta acquires La Rousse Foods

Swiss speciality baker Aryzta is to acquire premium foodservice company La Rousse Foods.

Aryzta, formerly Cuisine De France, announced the deal will be completed after approval from the Competition and Consumer Protection Authority.

La Rousse currently works with 168 local suppliers, serving more than 1,300 customers in Ireland.

Aryzta’s chief executive for Europe and Asia Pacific, Hilliard Lombard, said: “This is another exciting chapter in the Aryzta Ireland story continuing the pipeline of investment in growth across our food solutions and bakery divisions.

“We have an ambitious growth strategy for our Irish business, and this acquisition reflects our vision. La Rousse Foods is an exceptional business with an enviable reputation that is built on innovation, traceability and culinary expertise.

“Together, our combined strengths and ambitions leave us well placed to grow market share in the attractive premium foodservice channel in Ireland and internationally.”

The deal comes less than four months after Aryzta acquired a 49 per cent stake in the French company Picard, specialising in high-end frozen food.

Marc Amand, co-founder of La Rousse Foods, described the transaction as a “positive step”.

“In Aryzta Food Solutions, we now have the springboard from which to launch La Rousse Foods into the next exciting phase in our development through an enhanced product offering and robust business platform,” he said. “I’m confident that our collective expertise will enable us to deliver a comprehensive suite of food solutions to our combined customer base.”