WILD acquires equity participation in Amazon Flavors

On July [29th], 2013, WILD Flavors GmbH (WILD) has become a shareholder in the Brazilian corporation Amazon Flavors, a leading manufacturer of natural flavors, extracts, emulsions and compounds for Brazil’s highly attractive beverage market. With this positioning, WILD has established a production and expanded its development base in this important growth market.

“Becoming a shareholder in Amazon Flavors is the next logical step in our international expansion strategy in the global food and beverage market and the growth forecast for Brazil is outstanding. WILD’s relationship with Amazon Flavors puts us in an excellent position to support our customers in this developing market,” Dr. Hans-Peter Wild explains.

Access to the local beverage market
The Amazon Flavors product portfolio features natural extracts and flavors derived from the guarana plant, açai berries, oranges and grapes as well as cola flavors for the Brazilian beverage market. These products will expand and support WILD’s global leadership position in natural flavors, flavor systems, colors and ingredients in the food and beverage market.

Amazon Flavors is headquartered in São Paulo and operates production facilities in Manaus in the state of Amazonas. WILD has operated a Brazilian subsidiary with a sales office and development laboratory in São Paulo since 2000. This operation will be merged with Amazon Flavors. Founder and previous Amazon Flavors majority stakeholder Claudio Bruehmueller will remain as the Managing Director of the expanded business with more than 40 employees.

Very good perspectives
“The Brazilian food and beverage market has enormous potential. More than 190 million people live here. The middle class is constantly growing and consumers are looking for new tastes and products. We can help our customers meet this growing consumer demand,” stated Cosimo Trimigliozzi, COO of WILD Flavors International GmbH.

The beverage sector in particular is very promising. Based on current market data published by Canadean, an annual growth rate of 3-4 % for the soft drinks market can be anticipated in the medium-term: This includes both newer segments such as energy drinks as well as classic soft drinks. Brazil has become the world’s third-largest market in this sector.

Transaction marks latest milestone in WILD’s global expansion
WILD has been investing in the strategic expansion of its global business. In May 2013, WILD announced investments at its production, development and sales locations in India as well as the opening of a new subsidiary in Singapore. In 2012, the company acquired the assets of the former Cargill juice business, which has state-of-the-art manufacturing facilities in Amsterdam, Japan and the U.S. In 2011, WILD acquired the A.M. Todd Group, a global leader in natural mint oils and ingredients with production sites in India and the U.S.

About WILD Flavors GmbH
WILD Flavors GmbH is headquartered in Zug, Switzerland, and is one of the world’s leading suppliers of natural ingredients to the food and beverage industry. Its management offices with production sites are located in Heidelberg-Eppelheim, Germany (Rudolf Wild GmbH & Co. KG) and Erlanger, Kentucky, USA (WILD Flavors, Inc.). Thirteen further production sites are located in Europe, USA, Canada, China, Japan, India and Dubai.
The WILD Flavors product portfolio includes full flavor and ingredient solutions, known as flavor systems, fruit juice concentrates and blends as well as other food and beverage ingredients including natural flavors and extracts, mint oils and flavors, colors from natural sources, sweetening systems, seasonings, specialty ingredients, taste modifiers, and fermentation technologies. WILD Flavors GmbH provides the global beverage and dairy market as well as the baked-goods, confectionery and ice cream industry with its products. In the USA and Canada, WILD Flavors GmbH is a supplier for the cereals, snacks, and processed food markets as well. For more information about WILD, please visit: www.wildflavors.com.

About Amazon Flavors
Amazon Flavors, based in Manaus, State of Amazonas, Brazil, engages in the production and distribution of flavors, emulsions, extracts, natural colors and other ingredients including systems for the production of beverages with focus on the soft drinks, juices and energy drinks category. The company offers a complete line of raw materials and concentrates on producing high-quality flavor systems including guarana, açai berry, orange, grape, as well as cola for energy drinks, isotonics, sports drinks, tea flavored-drinks and other juice-enhanced beverages. For more information about Amazon Flavors, please visit: http://amazonflavors.net.