NautaDutilh has assisted the world's leading manufacturer of high-quality chocolate and cocoa products, Barry Callebaut Group, with its acquisition of Europe Chocolate Company NV, a producer of industrial specialty chocolate and decorations, including batons, curls, chunks, leaves and shavings.
Europe Chocolate Company NV was founded in 1993 and employs 80 people, while Barry Callebaut Group was created in 1996 through the merger of Belgian chocolate producer Callebaut and French company Cacao Barry and is currently active in over 30 countries worldwide.
With this acquisition, Barry Callebaut strenghtens its manufacturing capability on the growing market for highly customized industrial chocolate. Closing is expected in late summer.
This matter was handled by a cross-practice group team led by Philippe Remels and Michel Tans (Corporate M&A).
The official press release from Barry Callebaut is available here.