Silverfleet Capital

Kalle

The company

Kalle is a leading global producer of viscose, polymer and specialty casings for sausages. At the date of our investment, the company, which is headquartered in Germany, operated from ten countries with sixteen production sites globally.

Kalle focuses on leadership through innovation, and is probably the most innovative casings supplier in the world, with a wide range of products for a broad spectrum of applications.

Investment rationale

Silverfleet Capital has a long history of backing experienced and ambitious management teams such as the one found at Kalle. The business has an international profile with a market leading position, and has a reputation for delivering best quality products, competitive prices and new innovations that are developed together with customer needs.

Kalle has a large portfolio of new and ambitious product innovations, that enable the company to address growth opportunities in new segments and potentially new regions.

The business provides an exciting platform for a global buy and build approach both in casings and adjacent areas.

Value creation

We have worked with management on the international growth plans for the business – particularly in the US, as well as a buy and build strategy. Addressing both of these areas, in December 2010 we were pleased to announce the acquisition of Jif-Pak Manufacturing Inc, a California-based producer of innovative meat nettings and casings. The acquisition of Jif-Pak broadens Kalle’s product range and significantly increases the scale of its North American operations. Together with management we are working on the further international growth of the business, and the future buy and build strategy.