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Kale Foods AB, Scandinavia’s largest vegan food distributor, has appointed a new CEO — Anders Nilback.
Nilback – who was previously CEO of Swedish bread innovation company Brödverket, within the Polabröd family – comes with 25 years of experience in the food business.
Nilback commented: “I am passionate about working with a company that makes a difference; Kale Foods focuses on innovation to meet the growing consumer demand for vegan products.”
Kale Foods trades throughout Scandinavia under its own trademark, as well as bringing vegan products from leading manufacturers across the globe to the market. Notable brands that Kale Foods have brought to Scandinavia include One Planet Pizza, Heura, Mighty Pea, Veganz, and Livia’s.
Plans for 2022
In 2022, Kale Foods plans to extend its investments in the Swedish vegan food industry, primarily in their own Astrid & Aporna brand, which produces vegan cheese and a range of vegan ‘meats’, such as ham cold cuts, pepperoni, smoked salmon, and burgers.
Nilback said: “This year we are investing and expanding the Astrid & Aporna range and distribution, as well as introducing more successful international plant-based products to the Swedish market, which is also extremely exciting.”
Before Kale Foods and his role at Brödverket, Nilback was the marketing and export manager for Fria Bröd (a gluten-free foods company), and as an oat product consultant for Lantmännen Swedish Oats.
New appointments
Nilback is the first in a batch of new recruits at Kale Foods, aimed to assist the company in meeting the challenges of the future.
Kale Foods is a subsidiary of Kale United AB, a holding company that invests in world-leading vegan companies, currently boasting a rapidly expanding capital of SEK 100 million (€10 million).
On Nilback’s appointment, Måns Ullerstam, founder and CEO of Kale United, commented: “Anders is an ideal recruitment for Kale Foods since he has a diverse knowledge of the industry, with a holistic approach.
“We welcome him as a strong addition to the family,” Ullerstam said.
Kale United
Ullerstam founded Kale United in 2018, after becoming vegan in 2015 and realizing there was a lack of plant-based funds to invest his pension savings in.
Kale United invests in plant-based companies that strive to reduce carbon emissions and improve the health of humans and animals, and has accrued over 40 investments across the globe.
Notable Kale United investments include the leading vegan brands Mighty, THIS, Meatless Farm, and Impossible Foods. Kale United’s public shares include the likes of Beyond Meat, E.L.F. Beauty, Oatly, and Guru.
As well as Astrid & Aporna, Kale United also has vegan restaurant Kafé Plattan in Stockholm, Enkla Kassen, a home-delivery service providing quick-cook plant-based recipes among its subsidiaries.
