The potato company Frespo, founded last year - the name under which Aviko Cuijk now operates - is changing owners again. Potato specialist Peka Kroef intends to take over the factory, which is located not far from its head office in Odiliapeel.
Nimbus, the investment company behind Frespo BV, announced in a letter to its relations that it intends to sell the company again to Peka Kroef. This should become definitively clear this month, when the works council has decided on the sale.
In September 2023 cooks Nimbus the Aviko factory in Cuijk. Freshly steamed and pre-boiled potato products are made here. This week the investment company was in the news again when it announced to take over the CelaVita factory in Wezep from McCain. In the background, work was already underway to divest the factory in Brabant.
Separately
Both facts are completely separate, Nimbus explains when asked Boerenbusiness know. When taking over the Aviko factory, Maarten van Delst, CEO of Aviko Group, said: "With Nimbus as the new owner [...] we expect a bright future for the factory and its employees." Nimbus itself says that it intended to keep the factory for longer, but that after the takeover it was soon approached by Peka Kroef to discuss a collaboration or sale.
According to Nimbus, the sale offers a good opportunity for Peka Kroef, Frespo and Nimbus, which now has another potato factory. Family business Peka Kroef, which has been active in the processing and preparation of fresh, chilled potato products since 1970, is looking for additional production capacity. Aviko Cuijk is an ideal match for the company in that respect, as it is barely half an hour from their head office and has an efficient factory. The overcapacity that is still available can be expected to be quickly utilized by Peka Kroef.
Three players
According to the parties, the takeover will have no consequences for current affairs and for employees. Nimbus does not say whether CelaVita will ultimately end up in the hands of the Brabant potato specialist. It remains to be seen whether the name Frespo will soon appear on the CelaVita factory. The market for chilled potatoes and potato products is a specialist sector with several professional parties. In addition to Peka Kroef, these will soon be Quik's, Schaap Holland (Poldergoud) and CelaVita.