Houston, Texas (December 14, 2016) – Ebro Foods, S.A. announced today the upcoming merger of its U.S. rice and pasta companies, Riviana Foods Inc., American Rice, Inc. and New World Pasta Company, creating the largest manufacturer and marketer of rice products and the second largest producer and distributor of pasta products in the United States. The merger will be effective on January 1, 2017.
In 2004, Ebro Foods, the global leader in the rice sector and the second leading pasta manufacturer in the world, entered the U.S. market with its acquisition of Riviana Foods which purchased American Rice in 2011. Since 2006, when Ebro Foods acquired New World Pasta, the companies have been integrating their businesses and taking advantage of synergies to benefit their customers and consumers.
“We have successfully brought together the core strengths of the companies including an extensive portfolio of brands and products,” said Bastiaan de Zeeuw, President and CEO of the merged companies. “In addition, by combining our operations and distribution networks, we will even better fulfill our commitment to customer service, product quality, better efficiencies, innovation and growth.”
The combined rice and pasta products portfolio will include such recognized brands as Minute®, Mahatma®, Carolina®, Success®, Gourmet House®, Adolphus®, Blue Ribbon®, Ronzoni®, Skinner®, Prince®, American Beauty®, San Giorgio®, Creamette® and No Yolks®.
The merged companies will carry on the Riviana Foods name and be headquartered in Houston, Texas with a satellite office in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. Together the companies have manufacturing facilities in seven states and in Canada through Riviana Foods’ subsidiary, Catelli Foods Corporation. Catelli Foods is the largest pasta manufacturer and distributor in Canada with offices located in Toronto, Canada. The sales revenue of the combined company totals approximately $1.5 billion.
Riviana Foods is the largest processor, marketer and distributor of branded and private label rice products in the United States with well-known brands as Minute®, Success®, Mahatma®, Carolina®, River®, Water Maid®, Gourmet House®, Blue Ribbon®, Wonder®, Comet®, Adolphus® and RiceSelect®. Based in Houston, Texas, Riviana is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Ebro Foods, S.A., a leading Spanish food company. For more information, visit www.riviana.com.
New World Pasta is one of the leading branded dry pasta manufacturer in North America with well-known brands such as Ronzoni®, Creamette®, Skinner®, San Giorgio®, Prince®, Catelli®, American Beauty®, No Yolks®, Wacky Mac® and Light & Fluffy®. Based in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, New World Pasta is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Ebro Foods, S.A., a leading Spanish food company. For more information, visit newworldpasta.com.