Acquistion
Troubled Dutch company Raw Patisserie acquired by rival Lovechock
Dutch raw chocolatiers Lovechock has announced it has acquired Raw Patisserie, owner of the Ridiculously Good brand, with immediate effect.
Raw Patisserie B.V. was declared bankrupt by the court in Noord-Holland earlier this month. The agreement between the two Dutch companies was signed on Wednesday June 27, effectively taking Raw Patisserie out of insolvency (for an undisclosed amount).
Franziska Rosario, owner of Lovechock, said the new brand will be a good fit in the company’s existing product portfolio: “Both companies have a lot in common and stand for the same values: in particular, of course, the production of products with purely natural ingredients and the passion for raw cacao."
The two companies share a similar philosophy towards sustainability and protecting the environment, using plastic-free packaging and purchasing cacao beans from local cooperatives.
“Both companies know that cacao in its natural form is full of goodies, such as vitamins, minerals, flavonoids and mood enhancers. This is why we both want to make a low processed product that is as close to nature as possible,” Rosario said.
In the short-term and for consumers nothing will change, as Ridiculously Good items will continue to be available under the same name and retail price in the shops.
As part of the takeover of Raw Patisserie, its new owners will look to fully embed the brand into its portfolio following a comprehensive review of the business and its facilities. Rosario said there is an opportunity to expand her company's product range “in an exciting field”.
Lovechock was the first company to launch a Raw chocolate bar in the Netherlands (in September 2009) and was founded by Laura de Nooijer after she visited Mexico and Brazil. Lovechock is sold in organic retail outlets and supermarkets across 15 countries in Europe, and is also available in United Arabian Emirates, Canada and Japan.
