The Supply Side: Wal-Mart supplier community news briefs

Barry Callebaut acquires chocolate division from Petra Foods
Barry Callebaut, a major chocolate supplier to Nestle and Hershey agreed to by Petra Foods cocoa operation for $950 million.

The Petra Foods cocoa operation, which makes cocoa liquor, butter and powder manufactures and sells cocoa ingredients under the Delfi brand to more than 30 countries and customers including Nestle, Cadbury and the Mars Group.

Barry Callebaut, which provides the food industry with cocoa and chocolate products, coatings and cocoa powders, says the deal is expected to close mid-2013 and will boost sales volume in fast-growing Asia and Latin America to 31%of total sales volume from 24% in 2012.

The proposed deal includes Petra's entire cocoa ingredients business, including seven factories in Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, Brazil, Mexico, Germany and France, plus sales offices in Singapore, the Netherlands and the United States.

Several chocolate brands have sales offices in Northwest Arkansas including: Cadbury Schweppes, Ghirardelli, Hershey, Mars Foods and Nestle.

• Delta Galil USA acquires tween brand
Global manufacturer Delta Galil, through its U.S. subsidiary by the same same, recently acquired LittleMissMatched, a sock, apparel and accessories brand for pre-teen girls.

In addition to socks, the LittleMissMatched brand assortment includes some accessories, bedding, home décor, furniture and cosmetics which are sold through its retail stores, online and wholesale channels worldwide.

“LittleMissMatched is one of the most innovative kids brands in the industry and a great addition to our growing branded portfolio,” said Isaac Dabah, CEO of Delta Galil Industries. “It is a perfect complement to our existing branded sock business and further strengthens our leadership position in kids intimates. We see significant synergies and opportunities to build on the solid foundation of the business and will be investing in the development, expansion and marketing of the brand to grow the concept further into apparel and other categories.”

Delta Galil has a licensing agreement with LittleMissMatched for a fashion-forward collection of girls’ loungewear, sleepwear and intimates to mid-tier, clubs and specialty channels of distribution. As part of the acquisition, the senior management team of LittleMissMatched will join Delta Galil USA.

As a supplier to Wal-Mart Stores Inc., Delta Galil operates a sales office in Bentonville.