QualiTech expands portfolio with acquisition of Ellison Bakery

Aug 22, 2024
2 min read

QualiTech, a manufacturer of plant nutrition and food ingredients, has acquired Ellison Bakery, a producer of baked goods and inclusion ingredients.

Based in Fort Wayne, Indiana, Ellison Bakery is recognised for its extensive range of products, including cookies, snack bars and toppings. The company serves a diverse clientele, from established brands to emerging players in the retail and food service sectors.

This acquisition is part of QualiTech’s strategy to enhance its capabilities and expand its market reach following a significant investment from MidOcean Partners in 2023.

Rick Pedersen, CEO of QualiTech, said: “Bringing Ellison into the QualiTech family will be beneficial for both companies as well as our customers. Both organisations have rich legacies of bespoke R&D, differentiated customer service and superior product quality."

He added: "As a combined platform, we will be able to scale services, build additional product capabilities, and unlock access to a larger addressable market. The acquisition accelerates QualiTech’s efforts to lead the industry in providing speciality ingredients that enhance the sensory components of consumers’ favourite foods and positions our business for long-term success.”

The acquisition marks the first major move following MidOcean's investment in QualiTech, reinforcing the latter's position as a key player in the sensory ingredients market.

Founded in 1967, QualiTech has established itself as a player in value-added ingredient solutions, catering to diverse sectors including food, animal nutrition and agronomy.

The company operates two manufacturing facilities in Chaska, Minnesota, and partners with co-manufacturers to bolster its production capabilities.

Ellison Bakery, in operation since 1945, has built a reputation for developing customized baked ingredient solutions for various applications, including active nutrition and frozen novelties.

The integration of Ellison’s expertise in baked inclusions with QualiTech’s ingredient solutions is expected to create a robust platform capable of meeting the evolving demands of the food and beverage industry.

The terms of the transaction remain undisclosed.

#QualiTech #EllisonBaklery #bakedgoods #snacking #acquisition

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Leah Smith

8 May 2026

New products

Ella’s Kitchen launches new children's snack range

Ella’s Kitchen is expanding beyond the baby food aisle with the launch of Ella’s Kitchen Kids, a new product line aimed at children aged 18 months and older.

The launch marks a significant strategic move for the brand as it looks to extend its presence beyond the weaning category and capture growing demand for healthier snack options for toddlers and young children.

Positioned as a “better-for-you” alternative to traditional children’s snacks, the new range combines bold flavours, playful branding and convenient formats with the nutritional standards parents associate with the Ella’s Kitchen brand.

The company said the range was developed in response to changing family eating habits and the lack of minimally processed snack options for older toddlers outside the baby aisle.

Initial products include Ella’s Kitchen Kids Crunchy Stix in Cheese + Onion, Tomato + Basil and Pesto varieties, alongside Ella’s Kitchen Kids Wild Crackers available in Tomato + Oregano, Pea + Basil and Carrot + Rosemary flavours.

Designed for lunchboxes, picnics and snacking occasions, the products are formulated with reduced salt levels and classified as non-HFSS options. According to the company, the Crunchy Stix contain less than 0.04g of salt per pack, while the Crackers contain less than 0.05g per serving.

Emma Wood, Senior Brand Manager at Ella’s Kitchen, said: “Ella’s Kitchen Kids is about recognising that the journey doesn’t stop at baby food. As little ones grow, their tastes, independence and routines all change – but parents still want options they can feel good about.”

The launch also signals Ella’s Kitchen’s wider ambitions within the children’s snacking market, with additional products and categories expected later this year.

Wood added that the company aims to help “raise the standards of the kids’ food category” by balancing taste, convenience and nutrition.