Natra, one of Europe's leading private label and co-manufacturing companies for chocolate products, and Bredabest, a leading Dutch producer of peanut butter and other peanut-based ingredients, join forces to create a powerhouse in sweet spreads and confectionery, combining expertise, innovation, and scale to better serve customers across Europe and beyond.
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Founded in 1996, Bredabest is recognised across Europe for its pure and natural spreads, value-added peanut ingredients, and strong customer partnerships, with a major role in the growing organic peanut butter segment.
Natra has agreed to acquire Bredabest, which will facilitate the ongoing growth and development of the two businesses.
With Natra being one of continental Europe's largest producers of hazelnut chocolate spreads, the partnership combines Bredabest's expertise in peanut processing with Natra's global platform and distribution network, expanding Natra's portfolio to include peanut-based spreads and other peanut-based ingredients. This complementary acquisition strengthens product offerings, cross-selling opportunities, and supply chain integration, while supporting Natra's ambitious international growth strategy, which recently included the acquisition of Belgian chocolate producer Gudrun in September 2024.
Founded in 1996 and based in the Netherlands, Bredabest is a leading European producer of peanut butter and value-added peanut ingredients, supplying 100% pure and natural spreads to retailers, FMCGs, and fast-growing consumer brands. Known for its quality, reliability, and strong customer partnerships, Bredabest is also a key player in the fast-growing pure and organic peanut butter segments and a significant importer of peanuts into Europe. Joining forces with Natra provides access to a wider international network and additional resources to support sustainable growth, while continuing operations at its existing facilities with all employees retained, ensuring continuity for customers and suppliers.
The company was founded by Pieter Stienen and Rainier van Rey, who have served as CEO and Managing Partner since its inception. They will remain shareholders of the group and continue with the business.
Bredabest will continue to operate under its existing brand and maintain its established way of working. The company's management team will remain in place and continue to lead day-to-day operations, ensuring consistency for employees, customers, and suppliers. This continuity provides assurance that Bredabest's culture, entrepreneurial spirit, and long-standing values will be preserved while benefiting from the resources and global reach of Natra.
Bredabest operates two state-of-the-art processing locations in the Netherlands with significant capacity for future growth. Since its establishment Bredabest has earned a strong reputation for a customer-centric, tailored, and highly agile full-service offering, building long-standing partnerships with leading global food producers across more than 30 countries.
A portfolio company of CapVest Partners LLP ("CapVest"), Natra is a leader in the production of chocolate bars, pralines, tablets and chocolate hazelnut spreads, which it sells in more than 90 countries worldwide. Its ingredients division also supplies a wide range of cocoa-based ingredients to the international food industry. The company has over 1,400 employees across seven production plants in Spain, Belgium, France and Canada.
Commenting on the transaction, Armando Santacesaria, CEO of Natra, said: "Pieter and Rainier have built a fantastic business that is complementary to our business and aligns perfectly with Natra's model. This exciting acquisition strengthens our ability to enhance our customer offering and accelerates our journey to becoming the preferred Private Label partner in Snacking Indulgence. Looking ahead, Natra's scale, global reach, and strong customer relationships will be transformational for Bredabest. We're excited to welcome our new colleagues and work together to build on their impressive achievements and drive the growth of our combined business."
Pieter Stienen, Founder and CEO of Bredabest, said: "We are pleased to join forces with Natra, a strong long-term partner to take Bredabest into its next phase of growth. Natra's global scale and complementary portfolio will unlock new opportunities while safeguarding the values and customer focus that have underpinned Bredabest's success. My business partner Rainier van Rey and myself will remain part of Bredabest in our current roles, while remaining shareholders. In that respect we are fully committed to make this partnership a success."
Completion of the transaction is subject to conditions and regulatory approval.
Bredabest was advised by Squarefield, Vriman M&A Lawyers and PwC.
Natra was advised by Willkie Farr Gallagher and KPMG.
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Contacts:
On behalf of Natra and Capvest:
Ben Valdimarsson
Reputation Inc
Mob: +44 (0)788 980 5930
bvaldimarsson@reputation-inc.com
On behalf of Bredabest:
Pieter Stienen
Founder and CEO
p.stienen@bredabest.nl
Rainier van Rey
Managing Partner
r.vanrey@bredabest.nl
