Cooke subsidiary continues expansion with third acquisition in two months

Bioriginal Food and Science Corp., a subsidiary of Cooke Inc., has continued to expand with the acquisition of Pflanzenölmühle Kroppenstedt, which operates as Kroppenstedter Ölmühle.

Kroppenstedter Ölmühle is a family-owned mill specializing in the pressing of plant-based oil products from conventional and organic sources. The Kroppenstedt, Germany-based firm was established in 1922 and develops and produces vegetable oils, press cakes, oil cake flour, and refines vegetable oils for clients in the food, pharmaceutical, and cosmetic industries. Kroppenstedter Ölmühle operates three plants at two different sites that have different capacities including receiving seeds, bulk storage, pressing, milling, oil refining, and logistics. The company also has an internal laboratory that develops new technologies for processing oil seeds, Cooke said.

“We look forward to continuing to collaborate with our existing clients as well as with our Bioriginal colleagues to meet new customer needs. We’re energized by the opportunities that aligning with Bioriginal will present,” Kroppenstedter Ölmühle Managing Director Eike Döpelheuer said. “This partnership is a pivotal moment for our company, and we’re proud to join Bioriginal and be part of its growth in Europe.”

In a LinkedIn post, Bioriginal President Shannon Sears called the acquisition of Kroppenstedter Ölmühle – a 101-year-old family business – “the most humbling experience” in his 38-year career.

“We are so pleased to welcome Kroppenstedter Ölmühle’s 35 employees to Bioriginal. Our companies have a shared passion for innovation, a commitment to high production standards and top-quality products,” Sears said. 

Neither company, both of which are privately owned, disclosed the terms of the transaction.

The acquisition of the German company marks Bioriginal’s third in two months – the company acquired Japan-based Cana Corporation and The Netherlands-based The Fatory in early September. Those acquisitions, Sears said, were made to support the company’s growth plans.  

Photo courtesy of Cooke Inc.