Prima Bakeries Group, a producer of savoury pastries and cakes, has snapped up UK-based biscuit maker Furniss of Cornwall.
The deal, struck for an undisclosed sum, brings together two businesses located in the same town of Redruth in county of Cornwall in south-west England.
In a statement, Prima Bakeries Group, which houses Prima Bakeries and Cornish Premier Pasties, said it plans to open a 20,000-square-foot manufacturing facility, based in another Cornish town of St. Columb, later this year.
Prima Bakeries Group also plans to invest in the Furniss Redruth plant to expand production of the company’s cookies and biscuits. All 30 employees at Furniss will be retained, including managing director Des Bell.
Set up in 1886 by John Furniss, initially as a tea shop in the Cornwall city of Truro, Furniss claims to be the only company licensed to make The Original Cornish Fairing, the name for which it has a trademark.
Cornish Fairing in generalised terms is a traditional ginger biscuit originating from Cornwall.
Mark Norton, the managing director of Prima Bakeries Group, said in a statement: “This is an incredibly exciting time for us as we bring another iconic Cornish food brand under our wing.
“There is a lot of synergy between the businesses, as well as complementary product ranges, so our responsibility is to now build on the brilliant work that the previous owners and directors have done, to further grow the business.”
As well as traditional Cornish pasties, Prima Bakeries also produces sausage rolls and pies, cakes, muffins and shortbread, and bread and rolls. The group originated when Mr Norton and his wife Lynne acquired Cornish Premier Pasties in 2020.
Together, Prima Bakeries and Cornish Premier Pasties are expected to reach a combined turnover this year of £15m ($19.6m), according to the statement.
Just Food has asked Prima Bakeries Group for details on what Furniss is expected to bring to the table in terms of sales.
In accounts filed with Companies House in London, Prima Bakeries Group reported turnover increased 17.8% to £11.8m in the year to 31 August 2023.
Profit before tax rose to just over £1.2m from £1.3m in the corresponding 12 months. The business delivered net profit of £908,530, down from £1.1m.
Prima Bakeries Group became an Employee Ownership Trust in December 2023.
