Vegan Food Group (VFG), the UK owner of the brands VFC, Meatless Farm and Clive’s, has sold a manufacturing facility in Germany to tofu specialist the New Originals Company.
The deal involves the “transfer of certain assets, brands and production capabilities” for an undisclosed sum.
The factory in question is in Wiesbaum and came into VFG’s hands when it acquired Germany-based vegan manufacturer Tofutown in February.
VFG said the plant’s disposal allows the company to concentrate on expanding operations at its larger Lüneburg facility, which produces the bulk of its plant-based products in the country and which it said “is key to our long-term growth plans”.
Moving forward, the UK company said it will maintain a commercial relationship with Austria-based New Originals, saying the latter will benefit from VFG’s distribution channels across Europe.
VFG, which was known as VFC Foods until October last year, said that, despite selling the Weisbaum facility, tofu remains an important product category for the company with product launches planned for Q1 2025.
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CEO Dave Sparrow said: “This transaction enables us to optimise our operations while ensuring continued production of high-quality tofu products through the New Originals Company’s expertise in this field.
“This move signals VFG’s commitment to scaling its broader plant-based portfolio while securing its place in the tofu market through its strategic partnership with the New Originals Company.
“The divestment will allow VFG to allocate more resources towards innovation and production expansion, particularly at the Lüneburg site, while leveraging the New Originals Company’s deep expertise in tofu production to continue growing this key product line.”
New Originals Company was established by the Lunter family, tofu manufacturers since 1991. It is backed by Austrian investment bank Raiffeisen Landesbank Oberösterreich.
Its CEO Matthias Krön said: “Bernd Drohsin and the Tofutown team in Wiesbaum have been pioneering organic tofu and tofu products in Europe since the 1980s. They have been making great traditional tofu and innovative products, winning the trust of people in many countries in Europe.
“The New Originals Company is proud to continue this long tradition and will continue pioneering tofu as a key part of the food transition in Europe and partner with Vegan Food Group in the UK.”
Just Food has asked VFG for further information about what exactly the asset sale involves and the nature of its ongoing relationship with New Originals.
VFG, as VFC Foods, was set up in 2020 by Adam Lyons and Matthew Glover, the founder of the Veganuary campaign, and has grown through M&A.
It bought the Meatless Farm brand last year after owner The Meatless Farm Co. entered administration.
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