Blommer Chocolate Company, the largest ingredient chocolate manufacturer in North America and third largest in the world, has entered into an agreement to be acquired by Fuji Oil Holdings. The sale includes all Blommer business entities, including its four manufacturing operations in North America and one in Shanghai. Blommer is a private, family-owned company; Fuji Oil is a global supplier of food ingredients, with oil and fat, chocolate, emulsified and fermented food and soy protein businesses as pillars.

“For nearly 80 years, our family business has grown to become a major ingredients supplier to most of the iconic brands across a wide variety of food categories,” said Peter Blommer, CEO and third-generation family member. “With our combined expertise in chocolate and fats and oils, both rooted in product and process innovation, we have the opportunity to create a broad global footprint from which to serve our customers and drive growth,” added Mr Blommer, who, along with the existing senior management team, will continue to lead the company after the transaction.

Hiroshi Shimizu, President and CEO of Fuji Oil Holdings, said: “In our industrial chocolate business, we are a leader in Asia and have expanded our presence in Europe and South America. By partnering with Blommer, we are convinced that the combination of our knowhow and operations in our respective regions will provide significant opportunities and choices for our customers.”