Cargill, Minneapolis, recently acquired Integrated Bakery Resources (IBR), a provider of pre-mix systems, finished foods and related marketing services to North American-based bakers and retailers. The acquisition includes Breadsong Baking Company, IBR’s commercial baking and blending operation.

 

Founded in Lake Oswego, Ore., in 1985, IBR helps bakers get grain-based products to market through research, formula development, ingredient and mix sourcing as well as marketing, packaging and Web site design.

 

“What IBR is doing is a direct extension in the bakery category for our strategy around food systems,” said Paul Hillen, vice president, Cargill Food Systems. “IBR is a product innovation company. They can help customers either improve existing products or develop new ones.”

 Cargill plans to apply the IBR business model to develop bakery offerings that will contribute to bakeries’ top line growth, Hillen said.

“Cargill customers are going to be able to see more innovation, faster, brought to the bakery category,” he added.

 

IBR’s management team and personnel will remain intact, according to Cargill officials. It also will retain its brand name as part of Cargill’s food systems business unit.

 

“We’re excited,” said Doug Burke, founder and C.E.O. of IBR.  “We’re bringing solutions to customers and the consumer with Cargill’s expertise in ingredients and its global reach.”