Clover buys stake in Olive Pride; announces new JV
The South African dairy group has purchased the majority stakeholding from Southern Canned Products Ltd (SCP), a wholly-owned subsidiary of explosives and specialty chemicals company AECI.
In a move to extend its capabilities into the food and ingredients sphere, AECI procured 100% of SCP, a Cape Town-based manufacturer and distributor of juice-based drinks and products, in 2015.
The company retains a 49% stake, while selling the majority for an undisclosed amount to Clover.
Clover has three years to wholly acquire Olive Pride.
According to the company, Olive Pride has a 37.5% market share of the South African olive oil category.
New JV
Under the new ownership, the two companies have formed a JV entity, Clover Pride, which will distribute, market and sell products under the Olive Pride brand. These include pitted and stuffed olives, olive oils, balsamic vinegar and seed and extra virgin olive oil blends.
According to a company spokesperson, Clover believes the turnover of the new business is expected to be around R100m.
Dean Murray, chairman of SCP, told BakeryAndSnacks that, while there is still much that needs to be finalised, he can confirm that he will sit on the new company’s board along with Clover’s Marcelo Palmeiro.
The transaction, which has already been approved South Africa’s Competition Commission, is scheduled to take effect on March, 1.
AECI CEO Mark Dytor said: “The brand division of SCP, through the Olive Pride trademark, has grown exponentially in the recent past.
“The newly formed Clover Pride will provide a very useful springboard for growth of the brand and its products, to the advantage of both shareholders.”
