Emmi buys The English Cheesecake Company

Core Insights - Emmi, a Swiss dairy major, is acquiring The English Cheesecake Company to enhance its desserts portfolio and solidify its position as a "category captain" following a previous acquisition of Mademoiselle Desserts in France [1][5] Company Overview - The English Cheesecake Company, founded in 2000, specializes in premium cheesecakes based on traditional British recipes, offering a range that includes classic, vegan, frozen, and snack formats [2] - The company generated sales of approximately £23 million ($30.1 million) in its last financial year and is listed with major UK retail chains while also supplying the foodservice channel [2] Financial Performance - The English Cheesecake Company reported a turnover of £22.8 million in the year ending 31 March, an increase from £19.8 million in the previous year [3] - Operating profit rose to £1.6 million from £1.4 million, and net profit increased to £1.1 million from £925,622 [3] Strategic Rationale - Emmi's acquisition of The English Cheesecake Company is seen as a strategic move to enhance its presence in the premium cheesecakes segment, aligning with the global indulgence megatrend [5] - The acquisition is expected to create synergies within Emmi's portfolio and strengthen its distribution strategy in the UK market [5] Market Position - Emmi operates in around 60 countries with 72 production sites across 13 markets, employing approximately 12,000 people [6] - In the first half of 2025, Emmi's group sales increased by 12.7% to SFr2.27 billion ($2.8 billion), largely driven by a positive acquisition effect of 11.8% despite a negative currency impact of 3.5% [6]