McCain Foods has strengthened its partnership with Strong Roots, completing its acquisition of the Dublin-based frozen food producer.
The two brands previously announced a strategic partnership in 2021, with McCain investing to expand its product offering, bringing vegetable forward, environmentally responsible food choices to more consumers around the world.
This is a continued sign of McCain’s commitment to “fix the freezer aisle” by expanding the Strong Roots brand into more regions.
Jillian Moffatt, Regional President, McCain GB & Ireland, said: “This investment bolsters McCain’s commitment to planet-friendly food, enabling us to extend our portfolio of healthier options that are grown, processed and shipped in a sustainable manner. With a vision and values aligned to McCain’s, we are excited to continue our journey to scale the Strong Roots brand globally.”
To maintain the consistency of the brand and showcase McCain’s confidence and enthusiasm in the partnership, a brand advisory council will be instituted, including Strong Roots’ founder and members of the Strong Roots and McCain teams, as well as external advisors, to steward the brand and business for future growth.
Peter Dawe, Chief Growth and Strategy Officer of McCain Foods, said: “Since 2021, our partnership with Strong Roots has reflected our ambition to invest for the future, and to diversify our portfolio to ensure we continue to meet evolving consumer demands. We are excited to help further accelerate growth, bringing natural, simple meals and ingredients to even more customers in retail and foodservice markets.”
Samuel Dennigan, Strong Roots founder and CEO, said: “We have witnessed tremendous growth since partnering with McCain and this move will enable Strong Roots to maintain its focus on sustainability while propelling innovation to bring delicious, vegetable forward products to more consumers around the world.”
Strong Roots products have so far joined the McCain Foodservice portfolio in GB and Ireland and retail portfolio in France, with further plans to scale retail and foodservice offerings globally. Strong Roots will operate as a distinct business under the leadership of Charlotte Turton, with founder, Samuel Dennigan, working alongside the team to propel further portfolio innovation and brand growth.
The strengthened partnership with Strong Roots is the latest of a series of investments and acquisitions McCain has made in recent years to expand its product and service offerings including Scelta Products and Forno Di Minas.