UK – Fresh produce supplier Tuber Group has acquired Saxon Foods from the Abbeydale Food Group for an undisclosed sum. 

Saxon, headquartered in Lincolnshire, supplies frozen added-value vegetable products to retailers, wholesalers and the foodservice market in the UK.   

The company, which also exports its produce to the European Union was created following Abbeydale’s acquisition of B2B supplier Country. 

It went from a business-to-business supplier to serving retail and wholesale markets.

Its current range of allergen free frozen products includes jacket potatoes, mint and chilli peas, mushy pea pots, potato skins, healthy baked chips, and curry sauce pots.  

Its acquisition will further expand Tuber Group’s range which is comprised of 30 different fresh and frozen food commodities at any one time.

The company portfolio ranges from its own brand ‘Chefs Best’ mayonnaise to potatoes, sweet potatoes, onions and citrus.

“The acquisition of Saxon Foods is a great opportunity to build on the good work Abbeydale Food Group has done with the business and the fantastic team it has established,” said Steven Humphrey, managing director of Tuber Group.  

“We believe we are best placed to drive the company’s continued development, taking it to the next level and adding significant value to the UK frozen food sectors.” 

 Humphrey expressed optimism in the Saxon brand adding that his company had an “ambitious vision” for its new acquisition including using its vast potato and sweet potato knowledge, to explore some innovative NPD in relation to potato specific varieties.  

“We plan to bring global eating trends to the UK frozen market for retailers’ own label brands, along with our own exciting brands within the Tuber Group,” he said. 

“We will also build on existing customer relationships by offering more SKUs of potato and sweet potato products and further grow our presence in the frozen coated potato market.” 

Humphrey also revealed plans to the double the current turnover within three years.

“After achieving this, we will have established a sizeable operation that will be buying in excess of 250 tonnes of fresh potatoes and 150 tonnes of sweet potatoes every week.” 

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