Finnish food and beverage group Paulig has finalized the sale of its Risenta brand to the Swedish consumer goods company Midsona for Skr45 million (approximately $4.7 million). This transaction aligns with Paulig’s strategy to concentrate on global food offerings, particularly in the Tex Mex segment.
In a statement released on March 31, Paulig emphasized that this divestiture is critical for its future growth and objectives. Lenita Ingelin, Senior Vice President of Paulig’s branded business segment, asserted, “Paulig’s growth and results are primarily driven by world foods and Tex Mex and this is where our ambition lies going forward.”
The sale involves the complete transfer of Risenta’s brand, intellectual property, associated business, and production lines. Importantly, Paulig clarified that the transaction does not entail any employee transfers to Midsona.
Risenta specializes in a variety of products available in Sweden, including seeds, flours, and breakfast items. Paulig has owned the brand since 2015, and its sale is part of a larger trend in the food and drink business, where companies focus on core competencies and market trends.
Midsona views this acquisition as a strategic move to enhance its presence in the healthy foods segment. CEO Henrik Hjalmarsson remarked, “Risenta is a brand that fits well into our platform of well-established brands with strong positions within healthy foods on the Nordic market.”
This acquisition is expected to positively impact Midsona’s EBIT margin and earnings per share, as the company anticipates adding approximately Skr130 million in annual revenue. The transaction is scheduled to close on June 1, contingent upon regulatory approval.
Moreover, Paulig is currently re-evaluating its manufacturing capabilities. Earlier this year, the company announced plans to cease production at a spice facility in Mölndal, relocating operations to Estonia to manage rising input costs. In July, Paulig also outlined a €12 million investment in its Berga facility in Barcelona to expand production capacity, particularly for flour tortillas, to meet the growing demand for Tex Mex products.
