IMCD Expands Food & Nutrition Capabilities with Acquisition of Willows Ingredients
IMCD, a leading global partner in the distribution and formulation of specialty chemicals and ingredients, has announced that it has signed an agreement to acquire 100% of the shares in Willows Ingredients Group Limited. Willows Ingredients is a specialist distributor serving the food and nutrition sector, with expertise in health, sports, and animal nutrition. The company primarily serves customers across Ireland and the UK.
This strategic acquisition reinforces IMCD’s position in high-growth nutrition markets and strengthens its capabilities in providing specialized solutions to food, health, and animal nutrition customers.
Enhancing Expertise in Health, Sports, and Animal Nutrition
The integration of Willows Ingredients into IMCD will enhance the company’s capabilities in specialized nutrition sectors. Willows Ingredients has built a strong reputation for delivering technical support and customized solutions to its clients, which aligns closely with IMCD’s mission to provide value-added formulation services and high-quality ingredient solutions.
By combining IMCD’s global expertise in chemical and ingredient distribution with Willows Ingredients’ technical know-how and customer relationships, the partnership is expected to create a robust platform to serve both existing and new clients more effectively.
A Trusted Team and Strong Market Presence
Headquartered in Ireland, Willows Ingredients brings an experienced team of 26 employees and a well-established reputation in the food and nutrition industry. The company has consistently demonstrated excellence in supporting its clients, offering both technical guidance and product solutions tailored to specific market needs.
In 2024, Willows Ingredients reported revenues of approximately EUR 26 million, reflecting its established presence and steady growth in the sector. This acquisition provides IMCD with a strong foothold in Ireland and the UK and enables access to a network of loyal customers and supplier relationships built over many years.
Expanding IMCD’s Portfolio and Market Access
Through this acquisition, IMCD will broaden its existing portfolio of nutrition ingredients and expand market access across Ireland and the UK. The integration of Willows Ingredients’ supplier partnerships enhances IMCD’s ability to offer a wider range of high-quality products, particularly in the health, sports, and animal nutrition segments.
This move also allows IMCD to strengthen its market position in key areas of growth, leveraging both companies’ complementary capabilities. By combining local expertise with global distribution networks, IMCD can deliver a more comprehensive range of solutions to customers, supporting innovation and product development across the food and nutrition value chain.
Leadership Perspectives on the Acquisition
Paul Hanbury, Managing Director of IMCD UK & Ireland, highlighted the strategic significance of the acquisition:
This acquisition represents an important step in developing our food & nutrition activities across the region. Willows Ingredients has built an impressive portfolio of nutrition ingredients, and the team brings long-standing trusted customer relationships and valuable expertise across Ireland and the UK. By combining their strengths with IMCD’s global reach and formulation capabilities, we can create even greater opportunities for our customers and principals.
Hanbury emphasized that the acquisition is not just a financial investment, but a strategic move to combine technical expertise, trusted supplier relationships, and global reach to better serve the evolving needs of the food and nutrition sector.
Willows Ingredients’ Vision for Growth
David Scrivens, Managing Director of Willows Ingredients, expressed enthusiasm for joining the IMCD platform:
We are proud of the strong customer relationships our team has built in the specialized nutrition space. By joining IMCD, we gain access to a global platform that will enable us to support our partners even more effectively. We look forward to contributing our knowledge and working alongside our new colleagues to deliver enhanced solutions for the market.
Scrivens highlighted that the integration with IMCD will allow Willows Ingredients to leverage global resources while continuing to provide the personalized service and technical expertise that has earned the company its reputation in Ireland and the UK.
Strengthening Customer and Supplier Relationships
One of the key advantages of this acquisition is the reinforcement of customer and supplier relationships. Willows Ingredients has cultivated long-term relationships with both customers and suppliers, ensuring high-quality products and services tailored to the nutrition sector.
Through IMCD’s global network, these relationships can now be leveraged on a larger scale, providing customers with access to a broader portfolio of ingredients and enhanced technical support. Suppliers also benefit from expanded market reach and new opportunities for collaboration in product development and innovation.
Supporting Growth in High-Value Nutrition Segments
The acquisition aligns with IMCD’s strategy to grow in high-value segments of the food and nutrition market. Health, sports, and animal nutrition are among the fastest-growing areas globally, driven by consumer demand for healthier and more functional products.
By integrating Willows Ingredients’ specialized portfolio into IMCD’s global platform, the combined company can respond more effectively to these market trends. Customers will benefit from enhanced access to innovative ingredients, technical expertise, and formulation support across multiple product categories.
A Strategic Step Forward
This acquisition marks a significant step in IMCD’s ongoing expansion in the UK and Ireland. By combining Willows Ingredients’ local expertise and trusted relationships with IMCD’s global capabilities, the company is positioned to deliver superior value to its customers and principals.
The partnership underscores IMCD’s commitment to providing high-quality solutions in the food and nutrition sector and reflects its broader strategy to grow in specialized markets that require both technical knowledge and strong customer engagement.
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