The Dutch butter and dough producers Royal VIVBuisman and Van der Pol have merged to create Royal Van Ballegooijen Foods, or Royal VBF.
Van der Pol has been part of Royal VIVBuisman since 1989 when the Van Ballegooijen family purchased the business but they had been operating as two separate companies.
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Royal VIVBuisman took over the butter manufacturing conducted by Van der Pol in 2016, with the latter then focused exclusively on the production of dough, including puff pastry.
The merger has now taken effect from 1 January. It brings together the Van der Pol dough brand with the branded butters and ghee manufactured by Royal VIVBuisman, under names such as Wijsman, Royal Buisman Butter and Gold Medal Ghee.
The companies supply retail and B2B businesses but Royal VIVBuisman also caters to private-label customers.
“This merger brings together not only our administration but above all our knowledge, craftsmanship and innovation,” a statement from the newly merged group said. “It strengthens the foundation for delivering high-quality butter and dough products to bakers, industrial partners and retailers worldwide.”
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By GlobalDataAs a combined entity, the two companies will be “more agile and efficient”, the statement read.
Bart Van Belleghem has become managing director of Royal VBF, which is based in the village of Wijk en Aalburg.
“For generations, we have chosen quality, craftsmanship and flavour,” he said. “This merger not only helps us work more efficiently but above all enables us to be even closer to our customers.”
The Van Ballegooijen family set up their business in 1868 and have built it up through acquisitions. VIV was acquired in 1967 followed by H.J. Wijsman & Zonen in 1973.
On the heels of the Van der Pol acquisition in 1989 came the addition of Royal Buisman in 1996.
Van der Pol, meanwhile, dates its origins to 1885 when Joost van der Pol set up the business with his wife. The company also produces croissant dough and cookie dough chunks.
