The Anderson production site, formerly owned by Sven-Åke Andersson and Peter Wiberg, is BRC- and organic-certified.
“The acquisition supports Lantmännen Unibake’s growth, and strengthens our bakery business in the Nordic countries,” said Werner Devinck, CEO of Lantmännen Unibake.
Jonas Lindell, Lantmännen Unibake’s MD in Sweden, told BakeryandSnacks the acquisition “will bring a good set up for our continued growth in Sweden, Norway and Finland, especially being able to produce baguettes in our home markets.”
Bake-off baguettes
The Anderson Bakery employs 30 people and is located in Huddinge in the Stockholm area, with a yearly turnover of SEK 75m ($8.42m). It was founded in 1984 and has been concentrating on bake-off baguettes since 2002.
It is one of two bakeries supplying the Swedish market with bake-off baguettes, branded “Bonjour”.
“Clients bake the bake-off baguettes instore so the consumer is able to buy a freshly baked product that day,” said Lindell.
Lindell said Lantmännen Unibake will retain the original employees of Anderson Bakery.
“We will start working with the organisation after the acquisition has been finalised on March 1, but at this time we cannot see any major changes taking place. This is usually the plan that any purchasing company will follow to have an optimal organisation,” he said.
He added the €1.1b ($1.17b) international bakery group will continue producing products at Anderson’s Huddinge facility, and will eventually integrate the site into its own operations.
New products, new channels
Lantmännen Unibake operates 37 modern bakeries, employing 6,000 people in more than 20 countries around the world, with headquarters in Denmark.
According to Lindell, Sweden is its biggest market for frozen bakery products, while Finland holds the majority share for fresh bakery products.
The company’s portfolio comprises a range of brands, including Hatting, Schulstad, Schulstad Bakery Solutions, Schulstad Royal Danish Pastry and Bonjour.
Lindell said the Lantmännen Unibake Sweden will see a constant flow of NPD launches throughout the year.
“This year is also very promising when it comes to launching new products in different channels,” he said.