IDAK Food subsidiary acquires frozen-goods bakery Kern & Sammet  

SWITZERLAND – IDAK Food Group’s subsidiary Römer’s Hausbäckerei has acquired another Swiss bakery business Kern & Sammet for an undisclosed amount.

IDAK CEO Christof Lehmann said that the merger of Kern & Sammet with Romer’s will enable the IDAK Food Group to take the next strategic growth steps in the frozen bakery goods segment.

“In terms of quality, innovation and Swissness, the two brands complement each other perfectly and the merger will increase their competitiveness in the Swiss food market.” Kern & Sammet owner Hansjörg Knecht said while commenting on the deal. 

As part of the acquisition, IDAK was supported by IFBC, a leading-edge, independent Swiss financial advisor specialized in Corporate Finance and M&A, as exclusive Financial Advisor.

IFBC supported IDAK with Buy-Side M&A Advisory including valuation considerations and conducted the Financial Due Diligence.  

Wädenswil-based Kern & Sammet (K&S) has been operating for nearly 50 years, specialising in the production of bread, baked goods, desserts and snacks. The company employs around 100 staff.

Romer’s Hausbäckerei, which specialises in frozen bakery products, bought K&S from its owner Hansjörg Knecht and employs more than 380 people between its Benken headquarter and the two production sites of Odeburg.

Founded in 1974, Romer’s Hausbäckerei was acquired by IDAK in 2023. The company collaborates with local and national distribution partners, serving hotels, restaurants, canteens, wholesalers, retail shops and supermarkets all across Switzerland. 

IDAK Food Group is a producer of premium frozen food intended for the food service sector and food retailers in Switzerland, Europe and select export markets. It is headquartered in Spreitenbach, Switzerland.

The company consists of two business segments. The “Potato & Snacks” segment produces premium potato-based specialties and snacks which include spring rolls, chips, french fries, fish and egg items.

The “Pizza & Snacks” segment produces premium frozen and fresh pizza and pizza-based snack products, such as for the bake-off shelf in retail locations, primarily destined for retail and foodservice customers.

IDAK also owns Swiss potato-snacks business Kadi and Italy-based pizza supplier Margherita in Italy, acquired in 2019 and 2020 respectively.

In 2023, IDAK reported sales exceeding Sfr250m (US$274.6m) and employed around 1,000 staff.

In July last year, TowerBrook Capital Partners, a London and New York-based investment firm, acquired a majority stake in IDAK from previous owners Invision and Nord Holding for an undisclosed sum.

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