Grupo Bimbo to acquire six bakeries in Romania for US$108.9M

ROMANIA – Mexican bakery giant Grupo Bimbo is making significant strides in its global expansion efforts, plans to acquire six additional bakeries in Romania.

According to Romanian business news sources Ziarul Financiar and Profit.ro, the acquisition deal is valued at €100 million (US$108.9 million).

The bakeries, renowned for their production of bread and baked goods, are slated to be purchased from the family of local entrepreneur Siminel Andrei, as per undisclosed sources within the market.

Lonut Ilie, the managing director of Grupo Bimbo Romania, refrained from divulging further details regarding the reported acquisition even after Just Foods approached him for comment.

However, inquiries have been made to confirm the specific locations of the factories in Romania, their dimensions, and the range of products Grupo Bimbo intends to manufacture there.

Last February, Ziarul Financiar reported Andrei’s investments totalling €10 million in two bread factories, situated in Brăila in eastern Romania and Craiova in the southwestern region of the country.

In response to queries regarding the latest acquisition, a spokesperson for Grupo Bimbo conveyed the company’s confirmation of its expansion into the Romanian market.

They emphasized Grupo Bimbo’s commitment to fostering a better world by collaborating with skilled individuals and delivering quality products to consumers worldwide.

“We confirm our expansion on the Romanian market and, together with it, our group’s solid purpose to continue to nourish a better world working with valuable and skilled people and bringing quality and relevant products on shelves for our consumers in each country,” said Bimbo representative.

The spokesperson further expressed gratitude for the patience of stakeholders awaiting updates on the company’s endeavours in the region.

The investment comes after Bimbo snapped up Spain-based Amaritta Food SL, a company focused on the research, development and production of gluten-free bread.

The transaction was announced on Feb. 19 by Daniel Servitje, chairman and chief executive officer of Bimbo.

Grupo Bimbo described Amaritta as having a “leadership” position in the gluten-free bakery category in Spain.

This acquisition will enable us to continue gaining know-how in this category and lever from this technology and capitalize it in the growth of that high-growth potential in that market,” Servitje said in a conference call with investment analysts in connection with the company’s fourth-quarter financial results.

 “As the largest bakery company in the world, it is essential that we adapt to the demands of all our consumers, including those who have very specific needs.”

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