KKR
24.5.2022 14:02:15 CEST | Business Wire | Press release
Bettcher Industries (“Bettcher”), a leading manufacturer of protein processing equipment, today announced the signing of a definitive agreement under which it will acquire Frontmatec (the “Company”) from Axcel. KKR, which acquired Bettcher in December 2021, will invest additional capital from its North American private equity strategy to support the transaction.
Headquartered in Kolding, Denmark, Frontmatec is a global manufacturer of end-to-end automated solutions for pork and beef processing, with world-class robotics and vision system capabilities. The Company serves as a full line supplier of processing equipment, parts and services, instruments, and software, which help solve key issues around food and worker safety.
The transaction represents an important step in Bettcher and KKR’s strategy to build a scaled food processing automation platform serving food processing plants globally. In addition to delivering leading automation capabilities, the purchase of Frontmatec deepens Bettcher’s footprint in Europe. Frontmatec’s executive team led by Allan Kristensen is expected to remain in place to continue to grow the business after the transaction closes.
“Frontmatec has built a leading brand and position by enabling customers to continuously improve the productivity and safety of their workforce. The Company’s capabilities in automation and its global presence make it a superb fit for the Bettcher platform, and we are excited to work with Allan and his team to extend our collective innovation leadership,” said Tim Swanson, CEO of Bettcher.
“We are excited to join forces with Bettcher and believe this strategic transaction will enable Frontmatec to continue expanding our suite of solutions which are helping to meet the accelerating global demand for improved yield in production and food quality. I would like to thank the Axcel team, who have been instrumental in developing Frontmatec into the leading provider it is today, as well as our employees for their tremendous efforts. We are proud of everything we have accomplished and are focused on the exciting opportunity to continue growing our business together with Bettcher and KKR,” said Allan Kristensen, CEO of Frontmatec.
Bettcher will continue to add other world-leading food processing capabilities, while maintaining Frontmatec’s strong culture and values. As part of the transaction, KKR will extend its employee engagement program to all employees at Frontmatec. The strategy’s cornerstone is to allow all employees to take part in the benefits of ownership by granting them the opportunity to participate in any equity return alongside KKR.
“We have great admiration for the Frontmatec team, and view the Company as a highly compelling strategic addition to Bettcher as we pursue our long-term strategy of building a scaled global platform serving customers in the food and food processing industry. We are very excited about the growth that lies ahead, and look forward to continuing to build on the platform from here,” said Dan Daniel, Chairman of Bettcher.
“We are thrilled to welcome Frontmatec and its automated food processing capabilities into the Bettcher and KKR family, and thank Axcel for creating an industry leader in automated protein processing. Importantly, we look forward to incorporating Frontmatec and making all employees owners in the combined business as the latest example of our participation in the shared ownership movement,” said Josh Weisenbeck and Brandon Brahm, Partners in KKR’s Industrials investment team.
The transaction is expected to close during the second half of 2022 subject to customary regulatory approvals. Further terms were not disclosed.
Nordea, Kirkland & Ellis and Moalem Weitemeyer served as advisors to Bettcher and KKR.
About Frontmatec
Headquartered in Kolding, Denmark, Frontmatec is a leader in end-to-end automated solutions for the red meat processing industry. Frontmatec serves more than 1,500 customers worldwide through its global manufacturing and service footprint, with key relationships with many of the largest red meat processors. Frontmatec was formed in 2016 through the consolidation of five automation platforms and employs over 1,300 people today. Visit Frontmatec at: https://www.frontmatec.com/en
About Bettcher Industries
Headquartered in Birmingham, Ohio, Bettcher is a leading developer and manufacturer of innovative equipment in the food processing and medical device industries, majority-owned by KKR. The Bettcher portfolio includes the following: Bettcher, a designer and manufacturer of handheld trimmers, tools, and cutting consumables for all protein applications; Cantrell-Gainco, a manufacturer of processing equipment and yield enhancement and yield tracking systems for various protein operations; ICB Greenline, an aftermarket replacement parts and services company focused on poultry processing; and, Exsurco Medical, a leading-edge medical device company that provides innovative products and services to transform surgical grafting, debridement, and recovery outcomes for patients with burn and trauma wounds. Visit Bettcher at: https://www.bettcher.com/en
About KKR
KKR is a leading global investment firm that offers alternative asset management as well as capital markets and insurance solutions. KKR aims to generate attractive investment returns by following a patient and disciplined investment approach, employing world-class people, and supporting growth in its portfolio companies and communities. KKR sponsors investment funds that invest in private equity, credit and real assets and has strategic partners that manage hedge funds. KKR’s insurance subsidiaries offer retirement, life and reinsurance products under the management of Global Atlantic Financial Group. References to KKR’s investments may include the activities of its sponsored funds and insurance subsidiaries. For additional information about KKR & Co. Inc. (NYSE: KKR), please visit KKR’s website at www.kkr.com and on Twitter @KKR_Co.
View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220524005699/en/
About Business Wire
Subscribe to releases from Business Wire
Subscribe to all the latest releases from Business Wire by registering your e-mail address below. You can unsubscribe at any time.
Latest releases from Business Wire
ScottsMiracle-Gro Cultivates End-to-End Supply Chain Agility with Kinaxis22.6.2026 13:00:00 CEST | Press release
Kinaxis Maestro™ unifies planning to drive faster decisions and stronger results across a complex North American network Kinaxis® (TSX: KXS), a global leader in end-to-end supply chain planning and orchestration, today announced that ScottsMiracle-Gro, the leading marketer of branded consumer lawn and garden products in North America, is expanding its partnership with Kinaxis. The move will further optimize its supply chain planning operations as part of a broader transformation initiative, building on proven success and results achieved in recent years. Operating in a seasonal environment, where demand can be impacted by regional weather patterns, retailer promotions, and shifting consumer behavior, ScottsMiracle-Gro is investing further in the Kinaxis Maestro™ platform to improve planning accuracy and strengthen end-to-end supply chain orchestration across its North American network. This transformation reflects the company’s focus on supply chain technology as a foundational necessi
NIQ Expands GeoPurchase Audiences Globally, Unlocking Growth Opportunities for Marketers in Poland, Belgium, Mexico, and Indonesia22.6.2026 12:00:00 CEST | Press release
International expansion helps advertisers target audiences based on local consumer demand NIQ (NYSE: NIQ), a leading consumer intelligence company, today announced the expansion of its GeoPurchase audiences into Poland, Belgium, Mexico, and Indonesia, extending its purchase-based, geo-targeted audiences to new international markets. As privacy regulations tighten and identifiers like cookies decline, marketers need new ways to reach high-value consumers at scale. NIQ’s GeoPurchase Audiences address this challenge by helping marketers identify and target consumers based on demand, not just demographics. GeoPurchase audiences help marketers pinpoint geographic areas where consumers are most likely to purchase specific FMCG categories, brands, or sub-brands, so media investments can concentrate where retail opportunities are strongest. By focusing investments in priority locations, marketers can connect with the audiences that matter in the markets with the greatest opportunity. As a resu
Smartly Introduces Smartly Synapse, the Intelligent AI Orchestration Layer Powering Its Advertising Platform22.6.2026 12:00:00 CEST | Press release
Smartly Synapse powers Smartly’s agentic orchestration, providing marketers a faster, more intelligent way to plan, execute, and optimize millions of signals for better results Smartly today introduced Smartly Synapse, the intelligent AI orchestration and memory layer behind every Smartly AI Agent. Built on years of cross-channel creative, media and performance intelligence and continuously shaped by real-world outcomes, Smartly Synapse transforms millions of signals into actions that help marketers plan smarter, execute faster and drive stronger business results. Smartly Synapse creates a continuous performance loop where marketer intent, business context, campaign activity and outcomes continuously inform one another. Its shared intelligence and memory layer helps the system learn from every campaign, improving future recommendations, execution and performance. “Smartly Synapse is the intelligent AI orchestration and memory layer behind our AI agents. It augments Smartly’s existing p
Europe’s Original First Check Investor Seedcamp Raises $320 Million22.6.2026 11:23:00 CEST | Press release
First backer of Revolut, Wise, UiPath, Synthesia and Fluidstack brings nearly two decades of experience and conviction to Europe’s next frontier Expands US team to support founders building global giants from day one Raise is split across a $220m Core fund and $100m Select fund to back winners through Series B and beyond Backing founders at the very beginning - before the company or the theme is obvious Seedcamp, Europe’s original first check investor and earliest backer of companies including Revolut, Wise, UiPath, Synthesia and Fluidstack, has raised $320 million to invest in the next generation of global companies. US expansion for born global founders and early growth capital for portfolio winners Since launching in 2007 with a $2.5m first fund, Seedcamp now manages over $1bn in AUM and has delivered some of the strongest venture fund returns in Europe. Seedcamp Fund III has now returned over 13x DPI to its Limited Partners, and Fund IV sits at over 5x net TVPI. The new capital is
Navan Invests in European Footprint with New Partnerships22.6.2026 10:01:00 CEST | Press release
New integrations with ITA Airways, Caledonian Sleeper, and Virtuo elevate localized inventory across Europe Navan (NASDAQ: NAVN), the global AI-powered business travel and expense platform, today announced new integrations with European travel suppliers. Navan will add to its platform a direct New Distribution Capability (NDC) connection with Italy’s national air carrier, ITA Airways; overnight rail services in the UK with Caledonian Sleeper; and mobile-first car rental bookings in France with Virtuo. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260622904121/en/ New integrations with ITA Airways, Caledonian Sleeper, and Virtuo elevate localized inventory across Europe “We’re seeing incredible momentum across Europe, bookings to and from the continent are up year-over-year, and to truly serve the European market you have to continually invest locally,” said Michael Riegel, Chief Customer Officer at Navan. “By bringing ITA’s
In our pressroom you can read all our latest releases, find our press contacts, images, documents and other relevant information about us.
Visit our pressroom