Ardian, a global investment company, has sold its stake in the frostkrone Beteiligungs (frostkrone), a European deep-frozen convenience food producer, to Emeram Capital Partners, a private equity firm that focuses on mid-cap companies in German-speaking countries.

Financial details of the deal have not been divulged by both the companies.

Established in 1997 in Rietberg, Germany, frostkrone has been supplying a wide range of food products to the food retail, discount, home delivery service and food service sectors.

"The trend towards convenience food products continues and is demonstrated in the continuously increasing demand from our customers."

The company has been offering deep-frozen finger food and snack products, such as mozzarella sticks, chilli cheese nuggets and theme-based snack boxes.

It has been engaged in processing of raw materials such as cheese, meat, fish, poultry, fruit and vegetables for the producing of finger food items.

frostkrone CEO Frédéric Dervieux said: “The trend towards convenience food products continues and is demonstrated in the continuously increasing demand from our customers.

"We monitor consumer preferences and trends worldwide, and thanks to our strong innovation credentials, we are able to advise our customers across Europe about new products and how to market them.

“In addition, we set trends ourselves as we work to develop exciting new products.

"With Ardian’s support, we have been able to significantly accelerate our growth in Europe.

"As well as being our financing partner, the Ardian team also contributed by being a challenging and supportive business partner.

“With our new owner, we are confident that we will be able to continue our expansion plans and to generate sustained added value with attractive snack products for our customers.”

Frostkrone intends to continue the successful growth strategy initiated under the ownership of Ardian.