One of Canada’s largest pea and lentil processors is continuing its expansion into the dry bean industry.
Alliance Grain Traders Inc. has acquired A. Poortman (London) Ltd. Group, an international importer, distributor and processor of pulses.
The firm operates a processing plant for beans and other pulses in Tianjin, China, and has trading and sales offices in London and the Netherlands.
“Poortman is one of the oldest and most recognized trading companies for pulses and bird seeds in Europe,” said Alliance president Murad Al- Katib.
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“This is another strategic acquisition for us and supports our continued expansion into the global dry edible bean industry. Among other things, it gives us a processing presence in China, one of the world’s most important dry bean exporting regions.”
Earlier this year, Alliance acquired Parent Seed Farms, a Manitoba bean processor with two plants in St. Joseph.
Alliance bought Poortman for $13.4 million and has committed to spend a further $2 million expanding the Chinese bean processing facility.
“This acquisition enhances our distribution platform in Europe and our sourcing ability for beans, lentils, chickpeas and birdseeds from origins all over the world,” Al-Katib said.
