Harris Williams, a global investment bank specializing in M&A advisory services, announces it is advising DDW The Color House (DDW), a global privately held company specializing in natural color solutions for the food and beverage industry, on its pending sale to Givaudan, a global leader in fragrances and flavors. The transaction is being led by Tim Alexander, Brant Cash, Andy Warczak and David Stead of the Harris Williams Consumer Group.

“DDW is a pioneer in natural colors and is a vital partner to a wide range of companies in the food and beverage industry,” said Tim Alexander, a managing director at Harris Williams. “DDW developed a leadership position across the color spectrum and through its combination with Givaudan will continue to expand its global presence.”

“We are continuing to see strong interest from strategic and financial investors in the food ingredients industry with a particular focus on companies that offer natural solutions,” said Andy Warczak, a director at Harris Williams. “Givaudan will make an excellent partner for DDW, as both companies share a commitment to generating sustainable growth through innovation and strengthening their people and the communities in which they operate. We are excited to see DDW continue to flourish in partnership with Givaudan.”

“There has been lots of momentum in the food and beverage sector over the past 18 months, and we are proud to deliver another successful outcome in the space,” added Brant Cash, a managing director at Harris Williams. “Strategic buyers are very active in today’s market and attracted to companies like DDW that provide new growth avenues and have generated strong performance through a variety of economic environments.”

DDW is a global leading provider of natural colors across the food and beverage industry. The company was founded in 1865 to provide malt for brewing companies, and over the next 150 years, adapted to supply caramel color for the soft drink market. DDW eventually became an expert in all things caramel for the food and beverage industry and expanded into Ireland, China, Eswatini, Brazil and the U.K. In 2003, DDW entered the world of natural food colors and has since added natural color facilities in the U.S., Ireland and the U.K. DDW is now one of the leading suppliers of natural colors around the world.

Givaudan is a global leading company in taste and wellbeing, and fragrance and beauty. With its heritage stretching back over 250 years, the company has a long history of innovating tastes and scents. From a favorite drink to a daily meal, from prestige perfumes to cosmetics and laundry care, its creations inspire emotions and delight millions of consumers the world over. The company is committed to driving purpose-led, long-term growth while leading the way to improve happiness and health for people and nature. In the fiscal year 2020, the company employed almost 16,000 people worldwide and achieved sales of 6.3 billion Swiss francs ($6.8 billion).

Harris Williams, an investment bank specializing in M&A advisory services, advocates for sellers and buyers of companies worldwide through critical milestones and provides thoughtful advice during the lives of their businesses. By collaborating as one firm across Industry Groups and geographies, the firm helps its clients achieve outcomes that support their objectives and strategically create value. Harris Williams is committed to execution excellence and to building enduring, valued relationships that are based on mutual trust. Harris Williams is a subsidiary of the PNC Financial Services Group, Inc. (NYSE: PNC).

The Harris Williams Consumer Group has completed transactions across a variety of verticals, including branded consumer products; consumer services; food, beverage and agribusiness; and restaurant and retail. For more information on the Harris Williams Consumer Group and recent transactions, visit the Consumer Group’s section of the Harris Williams website.

Harris Williams LLC is a registered broker-dealer and member of FINRA and SIPC. Harris Williams & Co. Ltd is a private limited company incorporated under English law with its registered office at 5th Floor, 6 St. Andrew Street, London EC4A 3AE, UK, registered with the Registrar of Companies for England and Wales (registration number 07078852). Harris Williams & Co. Ltd is authorized and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. Harris Williams & Co. Corporate Finance Advisors GmbH is registered in the commercial register of the local court of Frankfurt am Main, Germany, under HRB 107540. The registered address is Bockenheimer Landstrasse 33-35, 60325 Frankfurt am Main, Germany (email address: hwgermany@harriswilliams.com). Geschäftsführer/Directors: Jeffery H. Perkins, Paul Poggi. (VAT No. DE321666994). Harris Williams is a trade name under which Harris Williams LLC, Harris Williams & Co. Ltd and Harris Williams & Co. Corporate Finance Advisors GmbH conduct business.

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