Canadian agribusiness Richardson International has snapped up local spreads maker Margarine Golden Gate – Michca, the owner of margarine brands Mirage and Crystal.

Richardson has bought Golden Gate, which also makes private-label lines and is a supplier to industrial and foodservice customers, for an undisclosed sum from the Lafortune family.

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Richardson, one of Canada's largest grain handlers, is a business-to-business and consumer-facing group. Its consumer division has a portfolio including cooking oils, sprays and margarines sold under the Canola Harvest brand.

In 2011, Richardson acquired Innovative Foods, margarine and shortening manufacturing business with plants in Mississauga in Ontario and Sussex in New Brunswick. Golden Gate has a manufacturing plant in Oakville in Ontario.

"Combined, these facilities will strengthen our capability as a national supplier and increase our capacity to serve all segments of the market, including retail, food service and industrial," Pat Van Osch, Richardson's senior vice president for quality assurance and manufacturing, said. "This is the next step in the evolution of our packaged food products business."

Curt Vossen, the company's president and CEO, added: "Golden Gate is a terrific addition to our business as it allows us to better serve our customers in Eastern Canada. We are pleased to be adding a well-established, family-owned company with respected brands to our growing food business."

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