Frutarom acquired by International Flavors & Fragrances (IFF)
Context
IFF completed the acquisition of Frutarom in October 2018, creating a unified global leader in taste, scent, and nutrition. The combined company trades under the ticker IFF on the NYSE and Euronext Paris, with a later listing on the Tel Aviv Stock Exchange, while Frutarom’s own listing on the Tel Aviv and London exchanges was delisted. The integration creates a platform with expanded capabilities in naturals, savory solutions, natural colors, food‑protection ingredients, and health‑oriented nutrition, broadening the customer base and increasing exposure to fast‑growing private‑label and SME segments. IFF expects the combination to generate accelerated top‑line growth (5–7% annually) and high‑teens EPS growth on a pro‑forma, currency‑neutral basis between 2019 and 2021, supported by approximately USD 145 million in annual cost synergies by the third full year, achieved through procurement optimization, footprint rationalization, and overhead reduction.
Previously, Frutarom had completed the acquisition of Pti in 2013 as part of its consolidation strategy.
Frutarom, which reported an EBITDA margin of [members only] in 2018, is valued in this transaction at an EV/EBITDA multiple of 15x–25x.
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Target
Frutarom is a leading global supplier of flavors and fine ingredients, offering products primarily to the food, beverage, flavor, fragrance, pharmaceutical, nutraceutical, and cosmetic industries. The company operates a diversified portfolio across two main activities: the Flavors segment, which develops and produces flavor compounds and food systems, and the Fine Ingredients segment, which focuses on natural flavor extracts, functional food ingredients, natural pharma/nutraceutical extracts, specialty essential oils, citrus products, and aroma chemicals. Frutarom’s manufacturing footprint spans plants in the US, UK, Switzerland, Germany, Israel, China, South Africa, and Turkey, while its sales and marketing network covers more than 130 countries through branches and local agents in five continents.
Ent. Value
$1–10bn
Equity Value
[members only]
Multiples
EV / Revenue
2x–6x
EV / EBITDA
15x–25x
EV / EBIT
[members only]
Historical Financials (USD)
Other operations with Frutarom
| Date | Acquirer | Target | Country | Sector |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 11/2013 | FRUTAROM | PTI (PROTEIN TECHNOLOGIES INGREDIENTS GROUP) | RUSSIA | Ingredients |
Other operations with International Flavors & Fragrances (IFF)
| Date | Acquirer | Target | Country | Sector |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 06/2015 | INTERNATIONAL FLAVORS & FRAGRANCES (IFF) | LUCAS MEYER COSMETICS | CANADA | Flavors & Fragrances |
Similar deals in Food Processing
| Date | Acquirer | Target | Country | Sector |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 11/2018 | AMBIENTA | AROMATAGROUP | ITALY | Ingredients |
| 11/2018 | FUJI OIL HOLDINGS | BLOMMER CHOCOLATE | UNITED STATES | Food Products |
| 10/2018 | MADEMOISELLE DESSERTS | PÂTISSERIE MICHEL KREMER | FRANCE | Bakery / Pastry |
| 10/2018 | LAVAZZA | MARS DRINKS | UNITED STATES | Soft Drinks |
| 10/2018 | PEPSICO | HEALTH WARRIOR | UNITED STATES | Food Products |
| 10/2018 | HERSHEY COMPANY | PIRATE BRANDS | UNITED STATES | Food Products |
| 10/2018 | HIGHLAND EUROPE | HUEL | UNITED KINGDOM | Food Products |
| 09/2018 | MBO+ / AMUNDI PRIVATE EQUITY | ARCADO | FRANCE | Meat & Cured Meat |
| 09/2018 | KEURIG DR PEPPER | CORE NUTRITION | UNITED STATES | Soft Drinks |
| 07/2018 | MANAGEMENT & PRIVATE INVESTORS | BETJEMAN & BARTON | FRANCE | Coffee & Tea |
REFERENCES
Valuation range: EV $1–10bn
Revenue range: $1–10bn
EBITDA range: $250–500M
EV/Revenue range: 2x - 6x
EV/EBITDA range: 15x - 25x
Note: This page provides detailed data on a private equity M&A transaction. Detailed and exact financial metrics for the acquisition of Frutarom by International Flavors & Fragrances (IFF) are reserved for mynth community members. Register for free to unlock full data.
Authors: This transaction was contributed by a verified mynth contributor and cross-checked against available transaction documents and official company communications.
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