Business

Burke Chocolate Company established 1929, manufactures and distributes chocolate products that are sold primarily to snack food and baked-goods manufacturers. Items include chocolate chips, pralines, pretzels, bar chocolate, chocolate liqueur and cocoa powders.

Results

As the result of pricing pressures on industrial chocolate suppliers, the Company operated with only marginal profitability even as it approached maximum plant capacity. Concentration among integrated manufacturers had increased scale advantage for larger competitors. White Oak Group developed a transaction which combined Burke Products’ business with a world-wide integrated manufacturer in order to achieve advantages of scale.

Acquirer

Ghirardelli Chocolate (US division of Lindt & Sprungli)

BACK