Deals



The J. M. Smucker Company Acquires Leading Hispanic Brands From Rowland Coffee Roasters


Posted: 27th May 2011 19:17

The J. M. Smucker Company (NYSE: SJM) announced that it has completed an acquisition of the coffee brands and business operations of Rowland Coffee Roasters, Inc. ("Rowland Coffee"), a privately-held company headquartered in Miami, Florida.

Rowland Coffee's products are primarily sold under the leading Hispanic Cafe Bustelo® and Cafe Pilon brands with distribution in retail and foodservice channels concentrated in the northeastern U.S. and southern Florida. It is a leading producer of espresso coffee in the U.S., generating total net sales in excess of $110 million in calendar 2010. The acquisition includes a manufacturing, distribution, and office facility in Miami.

"This acquisition strengthens and broadens the breadth of our leadership in the U.S. retail coffee category," said Richard Smucker, Executive Chairman and Co-Chief Executive Officer. "The addition of the Cafe Bustelo® and Cafe Pilon coffee brands, each with a rich heritage, provides us with a unique opportunity to establish a strong presence in coffee with Hispanic consumers in the U.S."

"This is an exciting bolt-on transaction and a good strategic fit for our Company," said Vince Byrd, President and Chief Operating Officer. "The acquisition is expected to be accretive in fiscal 2012, and provides our coffee business with greater scale and reach. Our proven ability to leverage our existing infrastructure will provide additional growth opportunities for these trusted brands."

The Company completed the $360 million transaction with cash on hand and borrowings under its existing credit facility. The transaction is expected to contribute approximately $0.05 per diluted common share to fiscal 2012 earnings, excluding one-time costs of the transaction.

The Company intends to leverage its existing coffee infrastructure to expand distribution and marketing support of the acquired brands. Manufacturing operations are expected to be consolidated into the Company's existing coffee facilities in New Orleans, Louisiana, in approximately three years. The consolidation of operations is expected to achieve additional cost savings of approximately $0.10 per diluted common share in the first full year after completion of consolidation, excluding one-time costs.

One-time costs of the acquisition are estimated to total $25 million to $30 million, including approximately $15 million of noncash charges associated with closing the Miami facilities. Approximately $10 million of the one-time costs are expected to be incurred in fiscal 2012, with the remaining incurred through 2014.

The Company is currently in its year-end quiet period and, therefore, will answer investor related follow-up questions during its June 9, 2011, fourth quarter and fiscal 2011 earnings conference call.

About The J. M. Smucker Company

For more than 110 years, The J. M. Smucker Company has been committed to offering consumers quality products that help families create memorable mealtime moments. Today, Smucker is a leading marketer and manufacturer of fruit spreads, retail packaged coffee, peanut butter, shortening and oils, ice cream toppings, sweetened condensed milk, and health and natural foods beverages in North America. Its family of brands includes Smucker's®, Folgers®, Dunkin' Donuts®, Jif®, Crisco®, Pillsbury®, Eagle Brand®, R.W. Knudsen Family®, Hungry Jack®, White Lily® and Martha White® in the United States, along with Robin Hood®, Five Roses®, Carnation®,Europe's Best® and Bick's® in Canada. The Company remains rooted in the Basic Beliefs of Quality, People, Ethics, Growth, and Independence established by its founder and namesake more than a century ago. The Company has appeared on FORTUNE Magazine's list of the 100 Best Companies to Work For in the United States 13 times, ranking number one in 2004. For more information about the Company, visit www.smuckers.com 

 

Legal adviser to the vendor:

Shareholder Randy A. Bullard commented: 

“It was a pleasure representing a Miami-based U.S.-Hispanic company in the sale of its family business with historical roots dating back to the 1860s in Cuba,”

Mr Bullard can be contacted on +1 305.579.0532 or by email at bullardr@gtlaw.com.

Co-counsel on the trasanction:

Vila Padron & Diaz P.A

Shareholder Oscar Vila commented: 

"By the year 2050, nearly one quarter of the U.S. population is expected to be Hispanic. We believe that companies and products targeting this population will be well-positioned both today and in the future,”

Mr Vila can be contacted on +1 305 461 4888.


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