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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.

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