UK-based fine foods producer Bramble Foods has acquired local chutney and preserves maker The Bay Tree Food Company.
Financial details of the deal have not been disclosed.
Set up by Emma Macdonald in 1994, The Bay Tree develops over 150 artisan chutneys, relishes, sauces and jams, at its factory in Ivybridge in Devon in south-west England.
Macdonald is expected to remain the founder and CEO of the group following the acquisition as it looks to enter the “next phase of its growth”.
She said: “Being part of a larger group will accelerate the next phase of our development and I’m looking forward to the opportunities that will bring.”
The company sells online in the UK through Ocado and Amazon, as well as supplying 75 foodservice wholesalers.
The Bay Tree also develops own label products and “bespoke recipe solutions” for customers.
Around 65 employees work for the company.
Bramble Foods, produces more than 2,000 savoury and sweet products for the independent retail market, including chutneys, pickles, sauces, preserves, cakes, biscuits and confectionary.
The company has around 2,000 customers and booked a turnover of £35m in 2022.
Tony Foster, the CEO at Bramble Foods, added: “Year on year, we have increased our food production capabilities and invested in our personalisation service to offer unique bespoke products to our customers.
“The Bay Tree Food Co. enhances our branded product offering and production facilities and we’re thrilled to welcome Emma and her team to the group.”
LDC, the investment branch of Lloyds Banking Group, secured a minority investment in Bramble Foods in 2022. The money was used to boost Bramble Foods’ portfolio and manufacturing capacity at its factory headquarters in Market Harborough.
Rob Schofield, a partner at LDC, said The Bay Tree’s acquisition of Bramble Foods would offer “an excellent opportunity to support the growth of its offering”.
He added: “We look forward to continuing to support Tony and the team on the next phase of their journey.”
The private-equity group announced its official exit from the UK foodservice supplier Cakesmiths at the end of last year. The wholesale cakes maker has since been scooped up by French food group Onoré.
