DD Williamson Acquires Dinesen Natural Colors

D.D. Williamson will operate Dinesen’s color manufacturing facility in Wisconsin as the central source for its expanded natural colors operation.

05/01/06 D.D. Williamson has acquired the Dinesen Trading Company in Port Washington, Wisconsin. The acquisition of this leading natural color manufacturer will broaden the range of food and beverage color products available from D.D. Williamson, already the world’s largest and oldest manufacturer of caramel color.  

D.D. Williamson will operate Dinesen’s color manufacturing facility in Wisconsin as the central source for its expanded natural colors operation. The D.D. Williamson spectrum of natural colors will now feature Annatto, Turmeric, Paprika and Carmine, in addition to the Elderberry and Chokeberry products acquired through its July acquisition of the natural colors business of Artemis International, Inc.

The acquisition will complement D.D. Williamson’s existing colorMaker natural color line, which specializes in natural color blends providing customers with tailored solutions. D.D. Williamson will retain Niel Dinesen for several years as a consultant for technical support, customer service and supplier relationships.

“We are expanding our natural color offerings and expertise to broaden our palate and solutions for customers,” said Edie Nixon, President of D.D. Williamson Colors LLC. “We plan to deliver the same focus on product quality, customer service, and innovation that our caramel color customers have grown to expect.”

“The addition of Niel Dinesen to our team improves our technical solution capability for our customers,” said Ms. Nixon.  “The team at Dinesen shares our passion for quality and service. All of our research and development efforts target ingredients that provide color solutions for food and beverage processors.”

DD Williamson launched its first certified organic caramel colors manufactured in North America last November. The company developed the new products in response to consumer trends and resulting ingredient demand from its customers in food and beverage processing. Caramel color, manufactured from the controlled heat treatment of carbohydrates, is the world’s most widely consumed (by weight) food color.

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