PRESS RELEASE: Fosters Traditional Foods acquires The Fudge Tree Company
Fosters Traditional Foods Ltd have announced the acquisition of The Fudge Tree Company on 10th October 08
The Fudge Tree Company, established in 1996 has over 1000 customers and specialises in high quality food gifts into the tourist and leisure sectors, principally in the South West and Channel Islands. Famous for Black Butter Fudge, unique novelty ranges and fantastic service, The Fudge Tree offers a solution to all types of customer’s requirements.
Fosters Traditional Foods Ltd established 1973, are market leaders in speciality food, serving more than 4000 customers across the UK’s garden centre, farmshop, independent and delicatessen markets. Fosters are based in Market Harborough and have 125 employees, 2500 product lines and its own distribution network and bespoke warehousing.
Part of Blueberry Group Ltd, Fosters Traditional Foods’ sister companies are The Foodfinders – sourcing specialist food products from around the world for Department stores, Business to Business and Hamper Companies, The Treat Company – innovative merchandised Pick ‘n Mix solutions for the independent trade www.thetreatcompany.com , and Chambers Candy Company – high quality packers of personalised gift sweets for leisure and export markets.
Earlier this year Blueberry also acquired the goodwill and assets of Danfood Ltd – specialist importers and distributors of fish products, crispy onions, soups and pates to the multiple trade under the Danfood and Spinnaker Brands.
Fudge Tree will continue to serve the South west with a full range of original products but will also be able to offer from the new year the full Fosters range of around 1500 new products to existing and new customers.
Mick, Jason and Justin Carter will continue with the business working alongside Rob Tanner – Sales Executive for Cornwall and Richard Levers from the Fosters Team.
Following the buyout of Danfood in June, this second acquisition marks the start of an accelerated growth programme initiated by Blueberry Group since substantial investment by Close Brothers Growth Capital in February this year. The business has further invested heavily in systems and people and is already seeing significant growth despite the economic and competitive market place. Group MD Mike Thorne said, “With further acquisitions targeted for the New Year our business is strongly placed for an exciting future as the country’s leading supplier of speciality foods to the independent market place. We’ve a great team now and despite our combined £25m turnover, we are really still a small business with a real passion for food and commitment to service for all our many and varied customers”.
