KEMPF is taking over the majority of the KeyBAKE shares, adding the company to the KEMPF Group starting January 1, 2023. Together, KEPMF and KeyBAKE aim to strengthen their position in the international bakeware and coating market and extend their product range, with a combined team of 150 people working for the Group.

After the takeover, Joop Kornelis will remain the managing partner of KeyBAKE, while Linda Troisfontaine, the company’s founder and current CEO, will stay on board for a transition period.

Significant investments are planned for the Dutch manufacturing site for next year, including a large press that can produce deep-drawn trays for buns and croissants in sizes up to 2,000mm x 1,200mm.

From next year, the group will be focusing on perforated trays, strap molds and coatings at its Rohrbach facility and make customized solutions and hamburger and croissant trays in Dronten.

Guido Kempf commented on the acquisition announcement: “We are very excited to combine the knowledge and strength of KEMPF and KeyBAKE. The result is the optimization of two industry-leading companies and the ability to provide high-quality bakeware and coatings throughout Europe and beyond.”

Joop Kornelis also said in a statement: “I am pleased that we found with KEMPF a partner with the same DNA, a family-owned reliable company, with the same strategy, to continue our growth and secure the future for KeyBAKE Bakeware and Coatings. We now are able to provide our customers with a wider range of bakeware, coatings and service.”

Linda Troisfontaine shared her input: “We have founded KeyBAKE in the past and I am very proud to observe that our company has gained a good reputation in the national and international bakery world for customer focus, technical solutions and professional support. Therefore, I particularly appreciate that we have found a solid party that invests strongly in the equipment and know-how at KeyBAKE whereby our company retains its identity and can continue to provide its customers with advice and support in a way that has always distinguished KeyBAKE from others. With this combination, KeyBAKE will be prepared for the future and we can be the partner for all national and international customers in a very extensive product range.”

Photo: Linda Troisfontaine, Guido Kempf, Joop Kornelis (left to right). Credit: KEMPF