J. M. Smucker Completes Acquisition of Sara Lee Coffee Business

The J. M. Smucker Company announces that it has completed the acquisition of a majority of the North American foodservice coffee and hot beverage business of Sara Lee Corporation in an all cash transaction. The company previously announced the agreement with Sara Lee on Oct. 24, 2011.

 

"We are pleased to complete this transaction which adds the market-leading liquid coffee concentrate business to the Smucker portfolio," says Richard Smucker, chief executive officer. "The transaction further strengthens our position as a leading North American coffee company, provides new coffee technologies, and adds significant scale to our foodservice business. We are excited to welcome the nearly 475 new employees into the Smucker family."

 

The acquisition includes Sara Lee's market-leading liquid coffee concentrate business sold under the licensed Douwe Egberts brand, along with a variety of roast and ground coffee, cappuccino, tea, and cocoa products, sold through foodservice channels in North America. In addition, the companies entered into a long-term innovation partnership to collaborate on liquid coffee technology for the foodservice market.