UK – Henson Meats, a UK-based subsidiary of Bidfresh and Campbell Brothers have merged to trade under one brand in a bid to expand the reach of both businesses across Britain.

The combined business assumes the name Campbell Brothers and will now deliver across England, Scotland, and Wales while operating from two sites.

The merger also gives the business access to distribution links controlled by Bidfresh businesses in the United Kingdom.

At the same time, the merging is said to be able to maintain the long-established local relationships with individual customers through the local depots of the two companies.

Neil McCole, UK Sales Director for Campbell Brothers said: “Operating as a single, national brand, with consistency in product sourcing, codes and pricing means that Campbell Brothers can support the broad range of menu styles that catering operators now offer. 

“At a time when chefs’ skills are at a premium, Campbell Brothers is now better positioned than ever to support our customers.”

The business already supplies over 2,000 chefs and operators nationwide and will use its new national status to focus on growing sales to larger groups and multiple operators.

Bidfresh managing director Brian Hall added the companies have three genuinely national brands fully focused on the needs of the foodservice market, at one of the most challenging periods the hospitality sector has ever faced.

The enlarged business combines the traditions of Campbell Brothers, founded in Edinburgh in 1902, and Henson, established in Smithfield Market in 1895, while meeting the 21st-century menu needs of businesses across the full range of the catering sector.

Tuber group snaps up MyFresh

Meanwhile, Potato firm Tuber Group has acquired fresh produce processor MyFresh from William Jackson Food Group for an undisclosed sum.

The undersigned deal included MyFresh’s BRC Grade AA awarded vegetable processing facility in Chicksands, Bedforshire, which includes an anaerobic digestion plant on-site, generating electricity from vegetable waste.

Tuber Group managing director Steven Humphrey said the acquisition would help grow the group’s customer base and drive sales across the business-to-business and food service sectors.

Tuber Group also announced its plans to invest heavily into the site, including the installation of cooking, cooling, and freezing capabilities to help develop the business into a ‘one-stop shop’ supplying prepared, cooked, and frozen.

 The group will also supply ready-to-eat vegetables along with pureed products to B2B, food service, and retail clients.

 “This latest acquisition marks another exciting milestone in the development of Tuber Group as we continue to expand the range of food products we offer and optimize our global procurement capabilities,” Humphrey added.

The acquisition follows the Last year’s acquisition of plant-based convenience foods manufacturer Saxon Foods in Scunthorpe, adding a range of allergen-free frozen products to its portfolio.

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