04 May 2016 --- Cargill is selling its dressings, sauces and mayonnaise business (DSM) to California-based Ventura Foods for an undisclosed sum.
Cargill DSM makes products like mayonnaise, tartar sauce, flavored dressings and sauces for foodservices companies and distributors.

It operates from a plant in Port St Lucie in Florida and two facilities in Gainesville, Georgia and Sidney, Ohio.

Ventura Foods is a joint venture between CHS Inc and Mitsui & Co, which is part of a Japanese conglomerate.

Its acquisition of Cargill’s business follows its purchase of the sauces business of Wing’s Food in February this year.

Financial details of the latest deal have not been disclosed

The deal will see Ventura Foods acquire Cargill’s plant in St Lucie, Florida and assets from its Sidney and Gainesville facilities, which will move to Ventura Foods’ facilities in Chambersburg, Penn and Forth Worth, Texas. Cargill will continue to own the plants.

Cargill, a private company, said that it will provide manufacturing services for 15 to 18 months to Ventura Foods to ensure continuity for its customers and a smooth transition to Ventura Foods.

In total, 46 staff at the Florida plant will be impacted by the acquisition.

Cargill’s portfolio also includes meat processing and palm oil production.

Gonzalo Petschen, Cargill’s fats & oils North American regional manging director, said: “We remain very committed to being a leading provider of oils and shortening to North American consumer package good companies, retailers, foodservice companies and food distributors.”

“The sale of our DSM business will allow us to operate more efficiently, and bring more and better offerings and services to our customers.”

“The acquisition of Cargill’s DSM business furthers Ventura Foods’ strategy to grow, strengthen and diversify. It adds greater depth to our already strong capabilities and another platform for innovation,” said Chris Furman, Ventura Foods’ President and CEO.

“We are highly confident in our ability to successfully integrate this important business and look forward to continuing the excellent work of Cargill’s DSM team. We look forward to welcoming a number of the talented and experienced Cargill DSM employees to the Ventura Foods family.”

Source: Food Ingredients First
The transaction is expected to close in the second quarter of 2016.