Schwarz Produktion, a division of the Schwarz Group—owner of Lidl and Kaufland—has announced its intent to acquire the Göbber Group, a prominent German jam and honey producer.
This acquisition is being made from Göbber’s parent company, Mayntz. Notably, financial details of the transaction remain undisclosed.
In an official statement, Schwarz Produktion indicated that this deal, pending antitrust approval, is anticipated to finalize in the third quarter.
Founded in 1888 in Eystrup, the Göbber Group encompasses several entities, including Göbber GmbH, Deutsche Honig Import (DHI), Eystruper Land, and Friedrich Göbber.
DHI specializes in globally sourcing and blending honey for various sectors, including retailers, bakeries, and the broader food industry. Meanwhile, Eystruper Land and Friedrich Göbber focus on producing fruit and honey products tailored for both discount and specialty retail markets.
Sandro Lemmrich, CFO of Schwarz Produktion, stated: “By acquiring Göbber, we can draw on valuable know-how and ensure long-term security of supply for our customers when it comes to high-quality fruit spreads and honey. We are setting the standard for future-proof production with top quality and dependability.”
The Göbber Group boasts the production of brands such as Glück and 100Frucht, employing around 350 individuals at its expansive 78,000 square-metre facility in Eystrup, which generates an impressive €200m ($234.4m) in annual revenue.
Schwarz Produktion confirmed that Göbber’s existing management team will remain intact, facilitating a seamless integration into its operational framework.
According to Michael Mayntz, a shareholder at Mayntz, the decision to partner with Schwarz Produktion was “carefully considered,” providing “stability and security” for the future.
“As a family-owned business, we took great pains in choosing our partner to ensure that we shared common values. That is the basis for adding further chapters to Göbber’s success story, now in a new formation,” he added.
Significantly, the Eystrup site operates with ten production lines, producing 80,000 tonnes annually across an extensive portfolio of 750 products and 1,300 recipes.
This acquisition will mark Schwarz Produktion’s second operational site in Lower Saxony, joining MEG Löningen, which has been manufacturing beverages and mineral water for Lidl and Kaufland since 2001, employing approximately 270 people.
