Bramble Foods Group, a UK-based supplier of branded ambient foods, has acquired Yorkshire chocolatiers Whitakers Chocolates for an undisclosed sum.
Set up in 1889, Whitakers produces confectionery sold under its namesake brand and as private labels. It also supplies the foodservice market.
For the last 17 years, Whitakers has been a “key” supplier to Bramble Foods, which counts bakery and confectionery products in its own range.
Headquartered further south than Whitakers in Market Harborough, Bramble Foods was established in 2008 by Nigel and Tony Foster.
The company operates its own bakery and preserving facilities and produces food products, including confectionery, cakes, preserves, and chutneys.
Tony Foster said: “Whitakers is a well-run business with a long history of producing excellent products, this coupled with a broad customer base and dedicated team of employees attracted us to the business. As a family, Whitakers is our longest standing supplier having worked together for over 40 years.”
Following the close of the deal, Whitakers’ management team, led by the company’s managing director William Whitaker, will remain in place.
Mr Whitaker described the deal as “a wonderful opportunity to share our knowledge and invest for the future together”.
He added: “Whilst I will always carry the immense pride and heritage we’ve built over 135 years, I recognise that now is the right time to pass on our cherished traditions to a company that can develop the business further.”
In a statement to Just Food, a company spokesperson said it would be "very much business as usual with all Whitakers team members remaining".
They added: “Brambles have acquired the share capital of Whitakers Chocolates with a view to invest and develop within the factory site at Skipton.”
The last full year for which Whitakers Chocolates has lodged accounts with Companies House, the UK's business register, is 2023. During that year, the company grew its turnover by 8% to £10.8m ($13.3m).
However, the rising cost of sales and an increase in admin expenses contributed to a fall in net profit from £443,965 in 2022 to £42,322.
In January last year, Bramble Foods acquired local chutney and preserves maker The Bay Tree Food Company for an undisclosed sum.
Bramble Foods received backing from private equity investor LDC, under Lloyds Banking Group, in 2022.
