FrieslandCampina acquires Best Cheese Holland brands

FrieslandCampina Consumer Dairy said it wants to promote using more cheese in cooking, and respond to the growing demand for dairy snacks as dippers.

The Parrano brand is known for its Italian-style cheese flakes, grated cheese and powder cheese sold by major Dutch retailers. Parrano is one of the fastest growing consumer brands in this segment.

With the acquisition of dairy dipper activities, including Tjiezi, FrieslandCampina said it is capitalizing on the trend for dairy snacks globally. The dippers are sold by retailers and international discounters.

US activities

Roel van Neerbos, president FrieslandCampina Consumer Dairy, said, “The acquisition of the brand Parrano and the dairy dippers fits in well with our ambition to provide dairy products for all consumption moments. These brands are a fine addition to our cheese activities.”​

Paul Wilde, director of Best Cheese Holland, said the acquisition allows for further international growth of the Parrano and Tjiezi products. Wilde will remain involved in the activities of Tjiezi after the transaction.

A spokesperson for FrieslandCampina told DairyReporter after the transfer of the Uniekaas activities to DMK in August 2017, Best Cheese Holland, previously known as Uniekaas Nederland, focused in slimmed-down form on Parrano and Tjiezi.

“With the selling off of Parrano and Tjiezi to FrieslandCampina, the last activities will be removed from Best Cheese Holland,”​ the spokesperson said.

FrieslandCampina and Best Cheese have also reached an agreement in principle on the acquisition of the import and sales activities of Best Cheese in the US.

The acquisition will take place once agreed conditions have been met, and the company will be integrated in FrieslandCampina Consumer Dairy from September 15, 2018.

Financial details have not been disclosed.