Terms of the recently signed agreement have not been announced, but California-based Blue Pacific, which has a strong focus on natural and organic-compliant fruit flavors, said it includes a strategic capital investment from the Singapore-headquartered agribusiness company.
“Wilmar’s supply chain enables us to expand our capabilities and distribution in whole fruit and grain based food flavoring and natural food ingredients,” said Blue Pacific Flavors CEO Donald Wilkes.
“The dynamics of this partnership will exponentially grow our Chinese and Southeast Asian manufacturing footprint and distribution to a wide range of new customers, while also supporting our North America business and core customer base.”
The company said it would continue producing flavors and ingredients for its US customers from its headquarters in City of Industry, California. In addition, Blue Pacific has facilities in China and offices in Malaysia, South Korea and the Philippines, and it intends also to continue these operations, it said.
The company said the new partnership will allow it to strengthen its capabilities in natural flavors and extracts, and expand its basic flavor research platforms, as well as a licensing partnership with the New Zealand Institute of Plant and Food Research.
Wilkes said he will continue as CEO and chairman of the company, and two Wilmar executives will join the Blue Pacific board of directors: chairman and CEO Kuok Khoon Hong, and chief scientific advisor, professor Chua Nam-Hai.
Wilmar’s business includes oils, sugar, specialty fats and grains, among other activities. Wilkes said that Wilmar’s wide distribution network and supply chain – with more than 300 manufacturing plants and distribution across more than 50 countries – would allow Blue Pacific to bring its flavors and ingredients to a larger and growing market of health-conscious consumers.