Earthgrains to Acquire Metz Baking

The Earthgrains Co. (St. Louis, MO) has enter into an agreement to acquire Metz Baking Co. for $625 million, which will make Earthgrains the nation's second-largest fresh packaged bread and baked goods producer. Earthgrains will introduce several of its products, such as IronKids Bread and Earth Grains shelf-stable bagels and breads under the agreement.

Metz Baking Co., a subsidiary of Specialty Foods Corp. (Deerfield, IL) operates 21 bread and specialty bakeries in 18 states with brands including Old Home and Master. The company also bakes products under the franchised brands, Holsum, Taystee, Pillsbury, Healthy Choice, Roman Meal, Country Hearth and Sunbeam.

Earthgrains is the only manufacturer of store-branded canned refrigerated dough products in the U.S. The company operates 42 bakeries and two domestic refrigerated-dough plants including four plants in France. Major brands include Colonial, Rainbo, IronKids, Earth Grains, Heiner's and Grant's Farm.

Edited by Christine Fraser