Bühler Group has sold its flour ingredient business to Bakels Group

Deal Flash

Oaklins has advised Bühler Group on the divestment of its flour ingredient business to Swiss company Bakels. 100% of the shares of China-based Buhler Bangsheng Food Ingredients (Guangzhou) Co. Ltd. have been signed over to Bakels Group and all employees are moving to the new owner with immediate effect. Both parties have agreed not to disclose the selling price.

With Bakels, we have found an excellent owner and strategic partner for flour ingredient solutions.  JOHANNES WICK, CEO OF BÜHLER’S GRAINS & FOOD BUSINESS

Buhler Bangsheng Food Ingredients (Guangzhou) Co., Ltd manufactures and distributes innovative bakery ingredients and application solutions. Products include flour improvers as well as baking ingredients. The company is located in Guangzhou in Southern China.

Bakels is a Swiss enterprise with more than 2,750 employees. Its main focus is on ingredients for bakery and confectionary. Bakels will partner with Bühler to develop the flour ingredients business. The two companies will cooperate strategically to offer flour ingredient solutions under Bakels’ lead to milling and bakery customers.

Flour ingredients have been a missing link in our portfolio so far. We are excited to close that gap now by taking over Bühler’s well-positioned business and strengthen our position in China. ARMIN ULRICH, CHAIRMAN OF BAKELS

A niche for Bühler

Bühler was active within the flour ingredient business since 2010. During this time, the company gained great expertise and excellent customer relations. The business proved profitable over the last years, focusing mainly on the Chinese market. Given the growing demand for baked foods, increasing food safety levels, and the rise of highly nutritional food, the outlook of the flour ingredient business looks very positive. Bühler’s strategic direction sees process solutions and customer services at its core. “Bühler has been active in the flour ingredients business to understand the entire value chain in order to provide better consulting capabilities throughout the life cycle of assets. Now we can do this even better, thanks to our professional partner who is active in a large array of segments”, says Johannes Wick. “We are convinced that this business can unleash its full potential on a global scale, with Bakels as owner and Bühler as a strategic partner,” he adds.

Oaklins' role

Oaklins’ team in Switzerland acted as the exclusive M&A advisor to Buhler Group during the entire sales process. This included the preparation of marketing materials, identification and approach of potential buyers, due diligence, negotiations with potential buyers and assistance until signing and closing. The team in China conducted the management meetings and provided support for all China-related topics.