After years of research and development, Strauss launches the "100% Achla" product series, manufactured using new technology   Strauss Group has launched the pioneer "100% Achla" series of preservative free hummus products. The series is manufactured following years of R&D, using a break-through technological method that ensures a tasty, top-quality product which maintains its shelf life. The development of the production process was supported by the Israel Innovation Authority at the Ministry of Economy. The process delivers a product with a shelf life of 40 days, similar to Achla Classic Hummus, but once opened, the product must be consumed within five days. The "100% Achla" series is available in a 400g pack containing 4 cartons of 100g each. Like other Achla products, the new series is gluten free, and it includes two products: "100% Achla Tahini Rich Hummus" – healthy preservative free hummus, rich in tahini and protein (9.7g per carton). "100% Achla 9% Fat Hummus" – preservative free hummus with 9% fat, containing oil derived from high quality raw tahini only and no added oil. The new technology that enabled the product to be developed was identified, characterized and assimilated by the Alpha Strauss project, which works to encourage and develop Israel's FoodTech community, advance innovative technologies in the food and beverage world, and assimilate groundbreaking technologies at Strauss Group.

The Strauss Group has issued an immediate report to the Tel Aviv Stock Exchange about the acquisition of 100% of the share capital of Florentin B.V. by the "Obela" company, jointly owned by the Strauss Group and PepsiCo..   Florentin is a Dutch company engaged in the development and manufacture of organic hummus, falafel, spreads and pita bread products. The company's products are marketed in Western Europe, particularly in the Netherlands, Germany and France. Florentin employs a staff of forty and operates a production facility in Netherlands. According to the company's financial statements, Florentin's sales turnover in 2015 is estimated at approximately €5 million.   The acquisition represents the expansion of the dips and spreads operation into Western Europe. At the date of this report Strauss and PepsiCo are active in the US and Canada through Sabra Dipping Company, LLC and in Australia and Mexico – through Obela.   In consideration for the acquisition of Florentin, Obela is to pay the sum of approximately €9 million, plus an additional €1.75 million, which is contingent on performance. The acquisition will be equally financed by Strauss and PepsiCo.   The group emphasized that the information in this report is a forward-looking statement, is based on information in the Company's possession on the date of the report and includes the Company's estimates on this date. Actual results may differ materially from those anticipated, among other things as a result of developments in the economic environment and in the markets in which the Company is active, risk factors typical of the operation, etc.   Shali Shalit Shoval, CEO of Sabra: "We look forward to growing the ‘better for you’ hummus category by bringing Obela’s international expertise to a company already succeeding with an understanding of local trends and culture. Together, we will meet and exceed consumer expectations in a compelling market "   Gadi Lesin, President and CEO of the Strauss Group: "The Acquisition of Florentine is an important step in the global expansion journey of our International dips and spreads joint venture with PepsiCo. A western-Europe infrastructure in a necessary condition for Obela's expansion into Western Europe"  .   Sabra Dipping Company, LLC is the leader in the refrigerated dips and spreads category and producer of America’s top-selling hummus. Sabra is proud to offer a wide range of dips spreads including vegan, vegetarian, all natural and Non-GMO products.  Sabra’s award-winning hummus, available in more than a dozen flavors, and salsa, guacamole and Greek yogurt vegetable dips can be found nationwide in club stores, supermarkets, specialty retailers and through food service. Sabra operates a silver LEED certified factory in Virginia. During 2016 1st Quarter, Sabra's Market Share (IRI) in the dips and spreads category in the USA  was 27.4% (leading position of the market). In the Hummus category it held a 61.7% market share. Total revenue in 2015 was 1.422 Billion Nis. Obela was established in 2011 to introduce a variety of fresh and wholesome dips and spreads to an international market, expanding upon the success of Sabra Dipping Company, an existing joint venture between PepsiCo and Strauss in North America.  Obela leads the hummus market in Mexico and Australia.  Obela's revenue in 2015 has resulted in 82 million Nis.

Two days before general elections in Israel, consumers' choices of the most innovative products and services in 2015 were announced yesterday, March 15, in Tel Aviv. The title "Innovative Company of the Year" is shared this year by Strauss, Unilever and The Central Company, with five wins each.These are the winning products of Strauss, by categories: Refrigerated Salads – "Market Flavors" pulses salads, Chewing Gum - MUST 45 Minutes, Olive Oil - Yad Mordechai Olive Oil in a designer bottle, Coffee – Elite Balance Coffee, and Yogurt Drinks - Danone Extra Fruit family-size bottle.550 people attended the annual ceremony at the Tel Aviv Museum of Art: chief executive officers, vice presidents of marketing and marketing managers of major manufacturers in Israel with CEOs of leading retailers, journalists, academics and top executives in the Israeli economy. Product of the Year Awards are granted in 30 countries worldwide, and last night, at a celebratory 10th anniversary ceremony, the 2015 Products of the Year in Israel were announced. These products and services won innovation awards, as voted by the Israeli audience in the most comprehensive consumer survey of its kind conducted by the research institute Kantar Media using TNS MySeker (with more than 2,000 consumers participating) in an identical manner to the survey conducted in the world.In this 10th anniversary of the Product of the Year awards, a record-breaking number of wins was achieved in the Israeli competition with 60 awards granted to innovative products and services marketed in the country, from dairy products through to toiletries and household goods, to applications, services, and consumer electronics.

Sabra, the Strauss-PepsiCo fresh dips and spreads company, will provide the official dip for the National Football League's games, including next week's Super Bowl. This marks the first time an Israeli company sponsors a major American sports event. Super Bowl commercials are a class of their own. The immense capital investment, elaborate productions, and advertisers' attempt at being original drive the standards higher every year. This year Sabra selected actor Jeffrey Tambor (Arrested Development, The Larry Sanders Show) to lead its Super Bowl commercial.  To the Sponsorship Advertisement >

Gadi Lesin, President & CEO of Strauss Group, announced today the appointment of Shali Shalit-Shoval as CEO of Sabra-Obela, their international dips and spreads companies. Shalit-Shoval has filled several major positions at Strauss Group over the past two decades, including Senior Vice President of Marketing, CEO of Elite Coffee, Manager of Excella confectionery plant in France, and, most recently, CEO the Salty Snacks company in Israel for four years. In her recent position, Shalit -Shoval steered the company toward significant achievements such as substantial growth, introduction of new products and increased market share. Before taking office in the summer of 2014, Shalit-Shoval will serve as Vice President of Marketing at Sabra. Upon taking office she will replace Ronen Zohar who has served as CEO of Sabra for the past six years. She will be the first woman to fill this senior position. Gadi Lesin: "Naming Shali Shalit-Shoval as key position holder at the Group is a vote of confidence in her knowledge, experience and high personal skills. We take pride in Sabra and Obela and are confident that Shali will sustain Sabra's growth trend and consistent development, while continuing to lead the refrigerated dips and spreads category in the U.S. and consolidating its position as an international brand outside of the U.S., through Obela. Shali's appointment is a clear manifestation of Group managers' development process, and of our conviction that the knowledge and experience gained in Israel can transcend its boundaries. Ronen Zohar and Giora Bar-Dea, who, at their request, will return to Israel upon completing their current terms in office, have led both companies to a series of outstanding achievements that placed Strauss Group and its products on the international map and made a significant contribution to its success. We are highly appreciative of their activities." About Sabra: Sabra was established in 1986. The company produces fresh dips and spreads for marketing in the U.S. and Canada. In August 2005, Strauss acquired 51% of Sabra. This came after the Group identified the unique opportunity that lies in the Mediterranean dips category, a healthier, more authentic and closer-to-nature food; a fast-growing category under the healthy food trend in North America. Strauss, which regards itself as a company aiming to improve the quality of life of people in every country where it operates, has since invested considerable resources and transferred the experience and knowledge gained in Israel, through Strauss Fresh Foods, to the U.S. In March 2008, Strauss announced it has finalized a Partnership Agreement with the global PepsiCo Group, with both parties jointly owning a 50/50 stake at Sabra. Sabra is currently the largest manufacturer and distributor of Mediterranean dips and spreads in the U.S., dominating the market in terms of sales and innovation. The company’s market share in the hummus category stands at 59% and its market share in the general chilled spreads category stands at 28.6% - It is the leading dips and spreads company in the U.S. Sabra's new factory in Virginia, which was inaugurated in 2010, enabled the company to immediately double its production capacity while reducing its ecological footprints. The planning process highlighted energy efficiency, reduced environmental impacts and ensuring a safe work environment for employees. This factory currently serves as a production and distribution center to more than 40,000 stores throughout the U.S. and Canada. In June 2012, Strauss Group and PepsiCo launched "Obela", which expands the dips and spreads activity into Mexico and Australia. In 2012, they built a new hummus production factory in Mexico, while also purchasing a chilled spreads business in Australia. Under the joint strategic plan of Strauss and PepsiCo, to lead the dips and spreads category in the U.S. and consolidate its activity as an international brand around the world, the companies decided to place all activities under the Sabra HQ, which will now support both the U.S. activity and Obela's expansion into other countries.