Esro Food Group steps into European pet food market

Esro Food Group announced Aug. 10, 2023, a strategic investment. The company is entering the European pet food ingredients market by taking a 50% stake in the newly formed Esro Pet Food BV, based in the Netherlands. The other half of this company is owned by the Scales Corporation, a multi-faceted player with experience in agribusiness.

Scales currently has three core businesses: Global Proteins, Horticulture and Logistics. By combining their broad experience in the agricultural sector with Esro's production capacity, they aim to powerfully serve the pet food market. This collaboration will enable both companies to expand their reach and offer more to customers worldwide.

Importantly, the first production facility of this joint venture will be located in Belgium. An existing facility of Esro will be converted into a pet food specialist. The conversion is underway, and the plant is expected to be fully functional and certified by the end of 2023. There are plans for a possible second location, but this probably won't be decided until 2024.

Leon Coolen, with extensive experience in food and pet food ingredients, will become the Managing Director of the joint venture. Both companies have also appointed two members each to the board of directors.

Joris Rooijackers, CEO of Esro, is excited about the partnership with Scales, given their solid reputation in the pet food sector. He believes this joint venture will contribute significantly to Esro's growth. Andy Borland, Managing Director of Scales, sees this as a great opportunity to bring their Global Proteins division to Europe and also welcomes the expanded cooperation with Esro's major shareholders, including the Fayman and Rooijackers families, and Rabo Investments.

Esro.com