Cadbury acquires Green & Black’s
Organic brand added by confectionery group
Cadbury is adding two new colours to the traditonal purple livery of it chocolate range, with a deal to acquire organic chocolate specialist Green & Black’s.
Cadbury Schweppes, which acquired a 5 per cent stake in the company in 2002, said the deal to buy the rest of what is currently the UK’s fastest growing confectionery brand, will allow continued growth and drive international expansion.
Green & Black’s will be run as a standalone business, with founder Craig Sams continuing as President and the management team led by chief executive William Kendall and finance director Nick Beart, unchanged.
Sams, who is also chairman of The Soil Association said: “I am delighted that my vision for premium, high cocoa organic chocolate is entering the next stage of its successful evolution. Our businesses share a commitment to ethical values and I am confident that, with the involvement of Cadbury Schweppes, we will now be able to bring these positive messages to a much wider international audience.”
Kendall said: “The premium quality chocolate market is growing fast globally and Green & Black’s taste combined with its organic and ethical integrity puts it in pole position to benefit from this. With the support of Cadbury Schweppes we will continue the exceptional growth of the brand and establish Green & Black’s internationally.”
Todd Stitzer, CEO of Cadbury Schweppes said: “We are incredibly impressed with the success the Green & Black’s team has achieved and welcome them into the Cadbury Schweppes family. Our businesses share a passion for quality products and ethical values so this is a very natural fit.”
