Langley-based Freybe Gourmet Foods announced Monday that it has agreed to be acquired by Premium Brands Holdings Corporation, a Richmond-based specialty food businesses that owns manufacturing and distribution facilities in B.C., Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Ontario, Quebec and Washington.
The written news release said Freybe will continue to be led by current president and CEO Sven Freybe from its 10,000 square metre (120,000 square foot) production facility at 27101 56 Ave.
The plant employs more than 250 people to produce more than 120 varieties of sausage, ham and specialty meat products.
Freybe said the deal will allow the sixth-generation family-owned firm to expand through access to Premium Brands’ proprietary distribution networks.
“We chose Premium Brands based on their long history of respecting the unique entrepreneurial cultures of the businesses they invest in and their commitment to producing and selling only premium quality products,” Freybe said.
Premium Brands reportedly plans to close its Richmond, B.C., deli meat plant and move production to Freybe’s Langley facility.
The deal is expected to close shortly and is subject to customary closing conditions, the release said.
Freybe opened its new plant in Langley in May of 2001.
The company website describes the Freybe specialty meat packing plant as an “environmentally responsible, open production system” with clean rooms and a high-speed product cooling system.
The plant won a Gold 2003 National Post design exchange award for sustainable design and a 2003 Lieutenant-Governor of BC Award for Architecture.