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This year’s IFSA conference was buzzing with the news of acquisitions and partnerships — one announced just before the start of the event which involved one of the longtime logistics suppliers, Pourshins Limited. In a September 6 announcement, Gate Gourmet and Pourshins stated that the caterer will make a “strategic” investment in the U.K.-based company. For Pourshins executives, the investment by Gate Gourmet represents the end of a long search for a strategic partner to help move the company forward. “The ability to leverage and ramp up what we are doing with our SWAT outsourced solutions, will be significantly enhanced” with the investment, said founder and Chairman of Pourshins Roy Moëd. Though he would not say the exact amount of the purchase, Moëd said that under the agreement, Gate Gourmet would have a “controlling interest” in the company. Additions will be made to the company’s board structure with possibly one or two Gate Gourmet executives on the Pourshins board of directors, Moëd said. In a statement from Gate Gourmet, Andrew Gibson, president of the caterer’s North American operations, said that over the years, Pourshins’ fourth party logistics model has created a “supply chain management solution that is flexible, responsive and cost effective.” He added that with other recent acquisitions Gate Gourmet will be able to “build a service responsive to the customers’ needs.” The transaction will help Gate Gourmet expand its product portfolio that consists of packaging, comfort items and now logistics. This week, Gate Gourmet also announced that it has completed its purchase of deSter Holding BV of Amsterdam, the supplier of tableware and comfort items. The proposed purchase of the worldwide supplier was announced in August. A full story on Pourshins’ expansion into the United States can be found in the September/October issue of PAX International. |
