Biscuits Leclerc acquires U.S. brand

St-Augustin-de-Desmaures, Que. – Groupe Biscuits Leclerc Inc. has acquired a grain bar concept from a U.S. food processor.

Leclerc, which made the announcement this week, has bought Ancient Grain Bar from California-based Go Pure Foods along with the equipment required to manufacture the bars.

The company says the acquisition fits well into its business vision and its national brand future development strategy, explains Denis Leclerc, president of Biscuits Leclerc. “It’s a concept that opens our lineup to new products based on natural ingredients such as fruits, vegetables, and grains.”

The Ancient Grain Bars are made from flax, amaranth, quinoa and whey protein, reports the AlbertaFarmExpress.ca. The equipment from the deal will be installed in two Leclerc plants. One of the plants at St-Augustin will make the Ancient Grain Bars and Go Pure Fruit Bars, a line of sun-dried berry bars, will be made at Leclerc’s plant in Kingsport, Tenn.

Biscuits Leclerc also says that the acquisition – a brand made with natural ingredients – will strengthen its brand portfolio in the nutritional bar segment. Go Pure Foods has growth potential and will accelerate Biscuit Leclerc’s development while building on its reputation as an innovator.

Biscuits Leclerc was founded in 1905 by François Leclerc and has grown in the last 20 years, and now has five factories and more than 650 employees. Specializing in cookies and snack bars, the company exports to more than 20 countries.

Go Pure Foods Inc. was founded by Guy Debbas and Mike Watts. Both had been in the food industry for a number of years. Debbas had founded G. Debbas Chocolatier Inc. in 1978. Watts worked in the fruit industry for a number of years and patented and developed a number of proprietary breeds of fruit, selling them under the brand Crown Jewels.

Go Pure Foods offers gluten-free, fat-free, vegan, kosher and low-glycemic index products.