Jamaica Producers Group and Wisynco Group entered into an agreement that see the transfer 30 percent of the shares in JP Snacks Caribbean (‘JP Snacks’) to Wisynco Group.
JP Snacks Caribbean is a holding company that will own the “JP St. Mary’s” brand and JP’s tropical snack manufacturing operations in which JP will hold the remaining 70 percent of the shares.
“The goal of the partnership is to bring to consumers in Jamaica and internationally, a wide range of innovative Caribbean snacks and tropical foods. Wisynco will bring to the partnership, their expertise in marketing,
manufacturing and importantly, their best in class distribution network. The transaction values JP Snacks at $2.4 billion and sees Wisynco investing $720 million for a 30 percent interest, a release from both companies stated.
The release further stated that “the business will seek to strengthen distribution in existing markets in the USA, Canada, the Caribbean, the UK and Central America, in addition to seeking new markets. JP St. Mary’s snacks will continue to be the flagship product line of JP Snacks through its banana, plantain, cassava and breadfruit chips, as well as similar product lines for the Spanish language markets.
Jamaica Producers Group is a Jamaican-owned multinational, with its primary businesses infood and logistics. JP owns and operates the market leading fresh juice manufacturer, supplying
Holland, Belgium, Scandinavia and other markets in Northern Europe. Through its Tortuga International subsidiary, JP Group operates a Jamaica- based bakery that supplies Tortuga Rum Cake to over 15 countries. JP Group’s logistics interests include Kingston Wharves, the regional multi-purpose port and JP Shipping Services based in the UK. JP also owns JP Farms, Jamaica’s leading banana farm, which is the largest private sector employer in St. Mary, Jamaica.
Wisynco is the maker of WATA, CranWATA, BOOM Energy Drink and BIGGA soft drinks. In addition to its owned brands, Wisynco is the exclusive local bottler for the Coca- Cola Company, as well as third-party beverage brands such as Squeezz and Hawaiian Punch and also distributes portfolios for Red Bull, Tru Juice & Freshhh, Dr. Pepper, Worthy Park Estate, Kellogg’s, General Mills, Nestle and others.