Europe Snacks and Kolak to Merge
Paris, October 10, 2016 – Europe Snacks and Kolak Food Snacks Ltd. today announced that they have joined forces.
Already recognised as leading manufacturers of savoury snacks under private label brands in their respective home markets, Europe Snacks and Kolak will combine their product portfolio and technical expertise to create a leader of the sector. The newly formed Group generates revenues of circa €250m, employs about 1,400 people and produces over 1.4 billion packs annually across 750 product types from its six manufacturing sites in France and the UK. It partners with 200 retail and discount customers across Europe and beyond.
Christophe Fenart, CEO of the Group said ‘By bringing together Europe Snacks and Kolak we are moving towards our goal to become the pan-European partner of choice for our customer’s brands, driving innovation across a full range of crisps and snacks. Both businesses share an entrepreneurial spirit and are committed to delivering quality and value to our customers.’
Rikin Lakhani, Managing Director of Kolak, added: “I am delighted to be working with Christophe and the team at Europe Snacks. I am very excited about the opportunities that this merger presents both nationally and internationally for us and our customers.”
Ashok Lakhani, co-founder and former Chairman and CEO of Kolak, will join the Group Board as a non-executive Director, while Bharat Lakhani, co-founder, along with the other existing shareholders will be stepping back from the business. Rikin Lakhani and Nicolas Eyméoud remain in their positions as Managing Directors leading the UK and French businesses respectively. The companies will continue to operate under their established brand names.
About Kolak
Founded in 1984, Kolak, is a British market leader specialising in own label manufacturing offering an extensive range of potato crisps, hand cooked crisps, extruded, fried and popped snacks, popcorn and stacked chips. Kolak operates two production sites close to London and employs over 1,000 people.
About Europe Snacks
Established in 1991, Europe Snacks is a key player in the French own-brand savoury snacks market and the leading own-label stacked chips manufacturer. A specialist in extruded technologies, stacked chips, crackers and popped snacks, the company has four production sites in the west of France and employs over 400 people.
