Iceland Foods has partnered with Icelandic investment company SKEL to distribute the supermarket’s products across a number of countries in the Nordics.
The joint venture, known as ICE JV EHF, will see the British supermarket’s much-loved quality frozen products conveniently stocked for customers in the region to enjoy, including Denmark, Sweden, Norway and Finland following high demand in the market.
Sir Malcom Walker CBE, founder of Iceland Foods and trustee of Iceland Foods Charitable Foundation, and Jon Asgeir Johannesson, chairman of SKEL, have worked together for 20 years with Johannesson leading Baugur’s acquisition of the UK Big Food Group, Iceland’s holding company, in 2005. They are joining forces once again to bring their wealth of experience and success from the UK to the Nordic market.
Tarsem Dhaliwal, group chief executive of Iceland Foods, said: “Bringing Iceland Foods’ products to the Nordic market was a natural step in our growth. It’s a region associated with knowing a thing or two about quality frozen food and through our partnership with ICE JV EHF, we’ll be able to build a strong wholesale foundation which will expand our reach to new customers and showcase the Power of Frozen® across the region.”
Ásgeir Helgi Reykfjörð Gylfason, CEO of SKEL, said: “SKEL aims to be a strategic investor through collaboration and partnership where our expertise and know-how advances our partners´ interests. Nearly one third of our investments are in companies operating in the consumer market where we observe trends and movements closely.
“We are thrilled to announce our partnership with Iceland Foods International through ICE JV EHF, which marks a significant milestone for SKEL as we expand our presence in the grocery retail sector in line with our increased weight on foreign investments. This joint venture represents our commitment to take full advantage of opportunities by bringing high-quality and trusted products to new markets, combining SKEL’s operational strength with the well-known brand of Iceland Foods.”
