Finding unique, plant-based flavors from around the world, Waukegan-based Woodland Foods recently positioned itself to increase its product mix to include breading, batters and baking mixes.
Woodland Foods acquired New Jersey-based Idan Foods Thursday in Waukegan, giving it the capability to increase the range of customized products it offers, according to a press release from the company.
Irena Osovsky, a spokesperson for Woodland, said in an email Monday that the purchase of Idan creates new opportunities for both companies since they make different food products for similar markets.
“Woodland adds a range of additional finished product offerings to its expansive product portfolio, and further expands its customer base, end market diversification and manufacturing scale and footprint,” Osovsky said in the email.
With Woodland employing approximately 300 people working in three buildings totaling 475,000 square feet in Waukegan, she said the two companies can work together to create more customized products.
“There are ample opportunities to pair Idan’s breading capabilities with Woodland’s culinary team and unique flavor profile development capabilities to help drive innovation and enable the combined business to bring more bespoke products to market,” she said.
Since Woodland specializes in plant-based products — it offers more than 1,600 “unique” ingredients, according to its website — Osovsky said with Idan concentrating on protein offerings, the combined businesses will complement one another.
Able to add lines for Woodland’s sales team to introduce from Idan’s product mix to customers after the acquisition, she said in the email they will now both be partners to “high-growth” food service chains and industrial customers.
“These relationships are anticipated to help Woodland further expand its foothold in these attractive channels,” Osovsky said. “Woodland is excited to leverage its sales team to drive growth in Idan’s existing product portfolio.”
With products as diverse as quinoa from the Andes Mountains in Peru to red rice from Bhutan, according to Woodland’s website, Idan’s offerings create a significant expansion of Woodland’s presence in the industry, the press release said.
John Buckles, Woodland’s CEO, said in the release Idan is a good fit to be part of his company, in part because of the relationships it has with its customers which will now benefit Woodland.
“The inherent strengths of Idan, including their commitment to quality and partnership with key customers is a great fit with Woodland’s broad channel reach, culinary capabilities and global sourcing approach,” he said in the release.
With products including mushrooms, truffles, chilies, herbs and spices, grains, beans, fruits and nuts, as well as an assortment of vegetables and more, Woodland provides goods to manufacturers, food service companies and retailers, according to its website.
Getting its start in fried chicken breading more than 45 years ago, according to its website, Idan creates specific breading, seasonings and baking mixes for its customers. The company has its own brand as well.
No financial details of the transaction were disclosed.
