Mondelēz International is set to acquire Gourmet Food Holdings Pty, an Australian food company with a strong position in the premium biscuit and cracker category. Terms of the transaction have not been disclosed, and it is expected to close in April.

Gourmet Food’s brands, including OB finest, Olina’s Bakehouse and Crispbic, have grown to become category leaders in the premium crackers and biscuits segments throughout Australia and New Zealand through on-trend innovations, including health and well-being offerings.

Also included in the transaction is Gourmet Food’s prepackaged seafood business, such as the Ocean Blue brand. 

Iconic brands step up
“This is a great strategic asset for us in a very important market,” says Dirk Van de Put, chairman and CEO of Mondelēz. 

“With our iconic biscuit brands such as Oreo and belVita, as well as our leadership in chocolate with Cadbury, this acquisition will accelerate our broader snacking leadership in Australia and New Zealand.”

Oliver Flint, the current chief operating officer, has been appointed as Gourmet Food’s managing director while co-founder and CEO Todd Wilson will remain with the business as an advisor. 

Premium products gather pace
Mondelēz will provide Gourmet Food with resources to accelerate growth while leveraging its manufacturing and R&D capabilities.

“With fast-growing premium and well-being products, strong customer relationships, and agile, local manufacturing, these brands will be a great complement to our local portfolio,” says Maurizio Brusadelli, EVP and president, Asia Pacific, Middle East and Africa at Mondelēz. 

Mondelēz’s moves in snacking
Last month, Mondelēz’s innovation and venture hub, SnackFutures, launched CoLab, a start-up engagement program for early-stage snack brands targeted at well-being.

In addition to its advancements in healthy snacking, Mondelēz is continuing to invest in chocolate. 

The company also recently announced plans to invest £15 million (US$20.5 million) in a new production line of Cadbury Dairy Milk tablets as the company consolidates the majority of its tablet production at its Bournville site in the UK. 

Last February, Mondelēz acquired in-store bakery company Give & Go, a North American company in fully-finished sweet baked goods.