The Irish-based Valeo Foods - which owns brands such as Jacob's, Batchelors, and Kelkin - is to acquire the confectionery division of the Finnish firm Raisio for €100m.
Raisio owns the Fox's Glacier Mints and Poppets brands.
The acquired businesses, which have combined annualised sales of approximately €100m and employ over 1,000 people, include the UK-based Big Bear Confectionery company and Nimbus Foods, along with Czech Republic-based, Candy Plus.
Valeo already has operations in Ireland, the UK and Continental Europe, and sales to over 80 countries, and following the deal will have annual sales of around €800m.
This transaction is the ninth acquisition of a leading food business since Valeo was established in 2010.
The deal is expected to close before the end of the year.
