Oterra announces acquisition of Food Ingredient Solutions

Founded in 1999, Food Ingredient Solutions is a leading American producer of colours and natural antioxidants, with a strong exposure to, and growth from, natural colours. The Company serves more than 400 customers annually and has two certified processing facilities located in Teterboro, New Jersey, and Marshfield, Missouri

Oterra continues its strong growth with multiple complementary bolt-on acquisitions since its inception, including the acquisition of SECNA Natural Ingredients Group S.L. and Diana Food’s colouring business in Europe earlier in 2021. Food Ingredient Solutions will mark its first US-based acquisition, strengthening its on-the-ground international presence and creating meaningful synergies with Oterra.

“North America is one of the fastest growing natural colours markets, and this acquisition puts Oterra in a great position to further support our customers in the conversion towards natural colours” said Cees de Jong, chairman, Oterra.

Jeff Greaves, founder and CEO of Food Ingredient Solutions, will join Oterra. “I’m thrilled that Food Ingredient Solutions will become a part of Oterra. We have a strong local presence and great customer relationships, and as Oterra we will be able to offer our customers access to the most extensive portfolio of natural colours in the world” said Greaves.

“We look forward to welcoming the Food Ingredient Solutions team to Oterra. They will join a strong team of dedicated natural colour specialists from around the world, and their addition will be met with excitement, especially from our US employees as we further strengthen our US position” said Odd Erik Hansen, CEO, Oterra.

This transaction was signed and completed in December 2021. Lazard Middle Market and Capital One Securities Inc served as co-financial advisors to Food Ingredient Solutions and Hill Ward Henderson served as legal counsel to Food Ingredient Solutions. Steve Weinberger & Associates LLC also advised Food Ingredient Solutions in the transaction. J.P. Morgan acted as financial advisor, Winston & Strawn and Accura as legal advisors, Alvarez & Marsal as transaction services and operational advisors, PwC as tax advisor and Accenture as tech advisor to Oterra and EQT.