As part of its 2025 strategy to expand the portfolio of its global Taste & Wellbeing business, Geneva-based Givaudan said it reached an agreement to acquire DDW, The Color House, a Louisville, Ky.-based natural color company. The acquisition will enable Givaudan to become a global leader in natural colors, enhancing its ability to create “feel good” food experiences through its extensive portfolio of taste and sense solutions.

DDW is a privately held company with 12 manufacturing facilities around the world and 315 associates. Founded in 1865, the company has developed a strong market position from its origins in the brewing industry through its capabilities in caramel colors.And for the last 20 years, it has had a strong focus on natural colors for the food and beverage industry, Givaudan said.

“I am excited about the opportunity to bring together the strong heritage and capabilities of DDW in natural colors with Givaudan’s expanded portfolio, which is fully in line with our 2025 strategy,” said Louie D’Amico, president of Taste & Wellbeing at Givaudan. “The combination of both companies will enable us to become a global leader in natural colors and strengthen our ability to create with our customers multi-sensorial food experiences consumers love. We look forward to welcoming the DDW employees to the Givaudan family.”

The terms of the deal were not disclosed, and Givaudan said it plans to debt fund the transaction. DDW’s business would have represented approximately $140 million of incremental sales to Givaudan’s results in 2020 on a proforma basis. The transaction is expected to close in the fourth quarter of 2021.

“I am very proud of all that DDW has accomplished throughout its more than 150 years as a privately held company, and we are confident that we will continue to flourish as part of Givaudan,” said DDW’s chairman Ted Nixon. “We believe that we have a strong set of shared purpose and values with Givaudan and that this transaction represents a very positive step for DDW’s customers and associates.”