Key Highlights:
- US based Simplot completes acquisition of Belgium’s Clarebout Potatoes.
- Clarebout operates five plants and employs over 3,000 workers.
- Deal expands Simplot’s frozen fries business across Europe.
- Workers earlier staged strikes demanding a bonus after takeover news.
American food and agriculture company Simplot has completed its acquisition of Clarebout Potatoes, one of Belgium’s largest producers of frozen fries. The deal, finalised on Friday, adds five Clarebout plants to Simplot’s global network and strengthens its presence in Europe’s frozen potato market.
Clarebout Potatoes, based in Nieuwkerke, West Flanders, is known worldwide for its frozen fries and potato based products. Founded in 1988 by Jan Clarebout, company now exports to more than 120 countries and employs over 3,000 people across Belgium and France.
With this purchase, Simplot now operates 23 production facilities worldwide. In a press statement, the US company said that the deal will help it increase its capacity and improve customer service across markets. “Clarebout brings strong experience and solid European footprint that will help us better serve our customers,” said Graham Dugdale, president of Simplot Global Food.
The acquisition marks an important step for Simplot in expanding its frozen fries business in Europe, a region with strong demand for processed potato products. Clarebout’s factories in Nieuwkerke, Waasten, Moeskroen and Dunkirk will now be part of Simplot’s European network.
When the deal was first announced in July, Clarebout CEO Jan Clarebout said the decision to join Simplot was guided by practical economic reasons. “We could have continued on our own, but the global situation made this step necessary,” he said.
Both companies assured that jobs and existing facilities will remain secure under the new ownership. In fact, Simplot and Clarebout plan to invest in further expansion in region to strengthen production and distribution.
The acquisition process, however, was not smooth. Employees of Clarebout Potatoes had gone on strike earlier this year, demanding a financial bonus following the takeover announcement. Although an agreement was not formally signed, management decided to offer each worker between 500 and 1,000 euros based on their years of service.
The strike had temporarily disrupted operations at Clarebout’s Belgian sites, but normal production later resumed once the deal neared completion.
Over the past three decades, Clarebout has grown from a local producer into one of the leading suppliers of frozen potato products in Europe. Its facilities process large volumes of potatoes each year for export to over 120 destinations, including markets in Asia, the Middle East and the Americas.
The company’s product range includes frozen fries, potato flakes and specialty potato snacks supplied to major retail and food service brands.
By integrating Clarebout’s strong production base and market access, Simplot aims to strengthen its supply network and better compete with other multinational potato processors in the frozen food segment.
Industry observers see this merger as part of Simplot’s effort to widen its global operations beyond the US and Australia. The addition of Clarebout’s European sites positions Simplot closer to key international customers and reduces shipping costs.
Both companies have indicated that the partnership will bring fresh investment in technology and efficiency to support long term growth.
Simplot’s acquisition of Clarebout Potatoes marks a major move in the global frozen fries market. With Clarebout’s established base in Europe and Simplot’s global reach, the partnership is expected to create a stronger presence in international potato trade while keeping the European operations active and growing.
Source: Belga News Agency
Image credit: Nicolas Didry
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