Irish food group Kerry Foods is close to buying the UK sandwich business owned by turkey producer Bernard Matthews.
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Kerry told just-food today (14 January) that the two sides had agreed a deal “in principle” and that it hoped to finalise the transaction within a week.
The business, which includes production facilities in Dunstable, sells sandwiches to independent retailers and retail groups Superdrug and Morrisons.
A spokesman for Kerry said: “Kerry has a leading sales and distribution network to the independent and convenience sector and this [acquisition] is obviously aimed at consolidating that market.”
Bernard Matthews reiterated that a deal had yet to be finalised but said agreement should be reached in the coming days.
The company added: “We need to change the strategies and organisation if we are to secure Bernard Matthews future as a sustainable business.”
The Norfolk-based firm is looking to bounce back from the outbreak of bird flu that hit its business in 2006 and the departure of its UK chief executive last year.
