St. Paul and Koninklijke ERU, two leading Dutch-Belgian processed cheese companies, have entered into a strategic partnership to acquire Kasi Food, the processed cheese division of Lekkerkerker Food, and integrate it into both companies. The collaboration aims to enhance their shared core business and market share, as well as achieve efficiencies across all production processes. This merger creates the largest alliance in processed cheese production in the Benelux.

The partnership between St. Paul, Koninklijke ERU, and Kasi Food forms a single entity with a comprehensive range of high-quality processed cheese products for the consumer market (retail; B-to-C, where ERU is already active), the out-of-home market (foodservice), and the food industry (B-to-B, where St. Paul has already acquired a significant market share). The companies expect to benefit from each other's expertise and experience to achieve joint growth while improving the quality and efficiency of their production processes and procurement. The collaboration focuses on leveraging the strengths of St. Paul, Koninklijke ERU, and Kasi Food. The companies intend to jointly shape the integration of Kasi Food’s operations and products, utilizing the facilities of Koninklijke ERU in Woerden and St. Paul in Sint-Jansteen and Lokeren.

St. Paul

St. Paul, a family-owned company founded 38 years ago and based in Lokeren (Belgium) and Sint-Jansteen (Netherlands), has built a solid reputation as a distinctive producer of customized processed cheese applications for the B-to-B market through high quality and efficient production processes. As one of the leading players in the European processed cheese industry, St. Paul sees the partnership with Koninklijke ERU and the integration of Kasi Food as the perfect opportunity to accelerate its growth ambitions and capitalize on the combined experience of the three companies.

Dieter Kuijl, CEO of St. Paul, stated: "I am very excited to join forces and carry forward all the collective experience of the companies in our growth ambitions."

Koninklijke ERU

Koninklijke ERU, a renowned cheese company founded in 1824 and based in Woerden, has a rich history and is known for its quality processed cheeses for retail and foodservice. With leading brands like ERU Goudkuipje, ERU has earned a place at the table of many consumers. Food professionals also recognize ERU for its appealing solutions in the foodservice industry. This strategic partnership presents Koninklijke ERU with the opportunity to optimize its product portfolio and accelerate its drive for further expansion.

Maurits Sandberg, CEO of Koninklijke ERU, commented: "I am excited about the opportunities that the integration of Kasi Food’s retail and foodservice activities brings, and I eagerly look forward to the next steps our companies will take together."

Kasi Food, Part of Lekkerkerker Food

Lekkerkerker Food, a family-owned company with over 45 years of expertise in dairy production, based in Lopik, specializes in producing high-quality cream cheese, processed cheese, and vegan cheese products for the industry, foodservice, and retail. By integrating Kasi Food—the processed cheese division of Lekkerkerker Food—into the partnership with St. Paul and Koninklijke ERU, numerous synergies and economies of scale will be realized. This will enable Kasi Food to further professionalize with the right investments and scale, allowing market opportunities to be seized more quickly. At the same time, Lekkerkerker Food can fully focus on the continued growth and transition to sustainability for its cream cheese and vegan activities. An advisory process has been initiated with the Works Council of the Lekkerkerker Group concerning the acquisition of Kasi Food.

Lekkerkerker Food is part of the Lekkerkerker Group. The subsidiaries Lebo Kaas, Lekkerkerker Dairy & Food Equipment, Useddairyequipment, and DFM Auctions are not part of the acquisition.

Mariska Lekkerkerker, CEO of Lekkerkerker Food, stated: "This integration creates new opportunities for all parties, and I look forward to significant growth and a bright future for our cream cheese and dairy equipment activities."

The IMAP Netherlands team, led by Jean-Luc Zeguers, exclusively advised Lekkerkerker Food (Kasi Food) on this transaction and supported them in the preparation, negotiation, and successful completion of the transaction.