Birketts has advised on the sale of Suffolk-based business Omega Ingredients, which specialises in the creation and manufacture of natural flavours, extracts and ingredients of the highest standard for the food and beverage industry, to Robertet Group, a highly-regarded global fragrance and flavour manufacturer.

Robertet was founded in France in 1850 and is now established in over 50 countries with 2,000 employees worldwide.

The acquisition of Omega Ingredients, established by CEO Steve Pearce in 2001, is a testament to the business’ 20 years of dedicated research, passion and excellence in providing pioneering biochemistry, resulting in the highest standard of natural flavours and ingredients.

The Birketts’ team was led by Alex Nelson and Sarah Pearce (Corporate) with support from Robbie Watson (Tax), Andrew Ridout (Commercial Property), Tom Sharpe (Employment) and Melanie Harvey (Intellectual Property).  The transaction was also supported by FRP Corporate Finance.

Steve Pearce, CEO of Omega Ingredients, said: “We’re thrilled to begin the next chapter of our history as part of the Robertet Group. We share the same passion for naturals and products of excellence, the same vision with our CSR policies and of a strongly integrated sourcing of natural flavours and extracts.

“This was an important transaction for us and the business, so it was imperative that we instructed the right legal advice for a deal of this size. Alex Nelson and her team at Birketts handled the deal professionally from start to finish. The level of dedicated support on offer throughout the transaction was exceptional and much appreciated.”

Alex Nelson said: “We are delighted to have assisted the owners of Omega Ingredients on this sale. This will mark the start of an exciting phase for both Omega Ingredients and Robertet, and we have no doubt that a combination of the two companies will find further success. With the current management team remaining in the business we feel confident that the future for the company looks very bright indeed.”