WILD Invests in Brazilian Beverage Market

ZUG, SwitzerlandWILD Flavors GmbH (WILD) became a shareholder in the Brazilian corporation Amazon Flavors, a manufacturer of natural flavors, extracts, emulsions and compounds for Brazils beverage market.

"Becoming a shareholder in Amazon Flavors is the next logical step in our international expansion strategy in the global food and beverage market, and the growth forecast for Brazil is outstanding," said Hans-Peter Wild, owner and chairman, WILD.

Amazon Flavors' products include natural extracts and flavors derived from the guarana plant, acai berries, oranges and grapes, as well as cola flavors for the Brazilian beverage market. The company is headquartered in São Paulo and operates production facilities in Manaus in the state of Amazonas.

WILD has operated a Brazilian subsidiary with a sales office and development laboratory in São Paulo since 2000, and this operation will be merged with Amazon Flavors. Founder and previous Amazon Flavors majority stakeholder Claudio Bruehmueller will remain managing director of the expanded business.

With more than 190 million residents in Brazil and a growing group of middle class consumers, the country's food and beverage market has "enormous potential," said Cosimo Trimigliozzi, COO of WILD.

Based on current market data published by Canadean, an annual growth rate of 3% to 4% for the soft drinks market is anticipated in the medium term, which includes energy drinks as well as classic soft drinks. Brazil has become the world's third-largest market in this sector.

In May 2013, WILD announced investments at its production, development and sales locations in India, as well as the opening of a new subsidiary in Singapore. In 2012, the company acquired the assets of the former Cargill juice business, and in 2011, WILD acquired the A.M. Todd Group, a natural mint oils and ingredients company.

Recently, WILD also added its new sports nutrition ingredient, RPM Factors, to the Health Ingredient Technology and Solutions (H.I.T.S.®) lineup.