Paris/Chicago — In a strategic move to strengthen its footprint in North America, Solina, a leading European supplier of savory ingredient solutions, has announced the acquisition of Sokol Custom Food Ingredients, a U.S.-based company known for its expertise in sauces, dressings, and flavor systems.
The Solina Sokol acquisition marks a significant step forward in Solina’s international growth strategy and expands its capabilities across the U.S. food manufacturing sector. With this deal, Solina now operates five facilities in North America and gains a wider platform to offer custom flavor solutions to foodservice, retail, and industrial clients in the United States.
Here’s a breakdown of the acquisition and why it matters to both companies—and the global food industry at large.
1. Who Are Solina and Sokol?
Solina, headquartered in France, is a major European player specializing in savory ingredients, culinary solutions, and customized food innovations. With more than 30 manufacturing sites and over 2,500 employees worldwide, the company serves everything from snacks and meat to ready meals and plant-based foods.
Sokol Custom Food Ingredients, based in Elmhurst, Illinois, is a family-run company with over 125 years of experience. Sokol produces a wide range of customized sauces, marinades, dressings, dessert toppings, and more. Their facility is known for flexible packaging options, including pouches, jars, and bulk formats.
By joining forces, the two companies combine European innovation with American customization, creating a transatlantic powerhouse for flavor development.
2. Why Solina Acquired Sokol
The acquisition aligns with Solina’s mission to become a global leader in customized culinary solutions. In recent years, Solina has been aggressively growing its U.S. operations. The company entered the North American market in 2021 by acquiring Canadian company Haco, and followed that with other strategic acquisitions, including Asenzya and Wynn’s Grain & Spice.
With Sokol now in the fold, Solina gains:
- A well-established U.S. manufacturing base in Illinois
- Access to Sokol’s blue-chip customer base
- Expanded sauce and liquid food capabilities
- Opportunities in the retail and foodservice segments
“The U.S. market is key to our global strategy,” said Anthony Francheterre, CEO of Solina. “Sokol brings us closer to our customers and allows us to meet growing demand for tailor-made food solutions in North America.”
3. How Customers Will Benefit
The Solina Sokol acquisition is expected to bring major benefits to existing and future customers. The combined expertise of both companies means faster innovation, better scalability, and greater product customization.
Customers in the U.S. can expect:
- Broader product portfolios, especially in wet and dry solutions
- Access to European-inspired flavor trends adapted to U.S. tastes
- Shorter lead times thanks to local production
- Enhanced R&D collaboration between Sokol and Solina chefs and technologists
For global food brands, this partnership also means the ability to create consistent products across continents with localized adjustments—an increasing demand in global foodservice and QSR markets.
4. A Boost for Solina’s North American Growth
Before acquiring Sokol, Solina’s U.S. presence was centered around Wisconsin-based Asenzya, which focuses on seasoning blends and spice formulations. Sokol now gives Solina a strong liquid food arm, opening the door to new categories like:
- Pourable salad dressings
- Dip and condiment packets
- Ready-to-use sauces for meal kits
- Premium dessert syrups and toppings
In total, Solina now operates five production sites in North America, creating a strong logistical and production network across the continent. The U.S. food ingredient market is expected to grow to $45 billion by 2027, and Solina is positioning itself to be a major contributor and innovator in that space.
5. What This Means for the Food Industry
Solina’s move comes at a time when personalized nutrition, health-conscious eating, and ethnic flavor fusion are reshaping consumer preferences. Food companies are under pressure to deliver:
- Better-for-you products
- Global flavors
- Flexible packaging
- Clean-label ingredients
- Customization at scale
Solina and Sokol’s combined capabilities now allow them to respond faster to market trends and co-create unique solutions with customers across multiple channels.
“Innovation is no longer optional—it’s essential,” said Lori Compton, VP of Commercial at Sokol. “Together with Solina, we’ll bring even more speed, creativity, and flexibility to our partners.”
Global Expansion Strategy Continues
The acquisition is part of Solina’s long-term vision to become a global leader in value-added ingredient solutions. The company has been supported by private equity firm Astorg, which has backed its aggressive acquisition strategy across Europe and now in North America.
Earlier acquisitions include:
- Food Compounds (Netherlands)
- Haco Canada
- Sauce & Spice companies in Germany and Italy
With a combined global footprint and growing digital R&D capability, Solina is building an end-to-end solution provider that can serve food manufacturers, restaurant chains, and private-label brands worldwide.
Final Thoughts
The Solina Sokol acquisition represents more than just a business deal—it’s a strategic step toward reshaping the global food ingredient landscape.
As consumer demand grows for personalized, sustainable, and high-quality food products, companies like Solina are investing heavily to meet those needs at scale. By acquiring Sokol, Solina not only gains production capacity and U.S. market access, but also strengthens its mission to deliver custom flavor solutions that blend creativity, culture, and culinary science.
For the North American food industry—and for global brands looking to expand in the U.S.—this partnership sets the stage for more innovation, better collaboration, and a richer plate for consumers.
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