Dutch dairy company Royal A-ware is set to expand its portfolio through the acquisition of fellow Dutch butter manufacturer LaBan Foods.
The companies have not disclosed the value of the deal.
Announcing the transaction yesterday (24 August), Royal A-ware said it supports “continuing its strategy of further diversification”.
According to Royal A-ware, LaBan Foods produces “butter specialities”, including products such as seasoned pastes and garlic butter.
LaBan Foods has specialised in these categories since 1993. Over that period, it has grown into the “market leader” for herb-flavoured butter, Royal A-ware said.
The business sells products under the Laban and LaViré brands, while the majority of its manufacturing activity involves private-label products supplied to major supermarket groups.
“With LaBan Foods, we are bringing specialist knowledge and a distinctive range of butter products in-house, enabling us to serve our customers even better and more comprehensively,’ said Jan Anker, the chairman of the board at Royal A-ware.
LaBan Foods’ revenue was not made public.
Completion of the acquisition remains subject to clearance from the Dutch competition authorities.
René Laban, LaBan Foods’ CEO, said the agreement would allow the company to “focus more on product innovation and to grow both in terms of product range and volume”.
Royal A-ware supplies cheese, butter, yogurt and other dairy products to customers across the retail, foodservice and industrial sectors.
The company has a workforce of more than 5,300 employees and reported turnover of €4.4bn ($5.1bn) in 2025.
In July, Royal A-ware agreed to buy a 35% interest in Dutch goat cheese producer Amalthea from its parent, Ausnutria Dairy.
Under the agreement, Royal A-ware assumed responsibility for marketing goat cheese and organic goat cheese in the Netherlands and international markets.
Ausnutria continues to hold a 65% controlling stake and will concentrate on processing whey protein for infant formula.
Also in July, Royal A-ware agreed to acquire Spanish cheese producer and distributor Grupo TGT.
The deal followed the family-owned group’s February purchase of Spanish distribution company Global Dairy Ventures from Abac Capital.
