Yeast and bakery ingredients manufacturer AB Mauri has acquired Romix Foods Ltd, a specialist food blending business based in Leigh near Wigan.
Romix managing director Mick McGowan is to continue leading the firm along with sales leader Paul Weston and the existing management team. Financial details of the deal were not disclosed.
AB Mauri, the ingredients division of multinational food processing and retailing company Associated British Foods plc (ABF), noted that Romix was known for its effective management of allergen ingredients throughout its manufacturing processes. These include gluten-free, dairy-free, and egg-free mixes.
“This strategic acquisition enables AB Mauri to expand its footprint in this growing segment and provides additional flexibility to our wider UK manufacturing footprint,” commented David Cooper, UK&I MD of AB Mauri.
“This ensures that we can continue to meet the demands of increasing variety and complexity from the markets we serve,” Cooper added.
According to its website, Romix offers mixes for sweet treats such as muffins, brownies, cookies, biscuits, scones, silk cakes, and sponges, as well as savoury products like bread, pastries, pizza, and dumplings.
McGowan at Romix expressed excitement at being “part of the AB Mauri family”, adding that the acquisition “represents a significant milestone for Romix and promises to bring numerous benefits to our staff and customers alike”.
The deal is set to enhance Romix’ technical capabilities, further strengthening its value proposition for its customers. “We are committed to leveraging the strengths of our combined organisations to foster growth, innovation, and overall customer satisfaction,” said McGowan.
Global history
The origins of AB Mauri dates back all the way to 1878 with Portuguese brothers in Australia founding the Mauri products brand. Trading was conducted in partnership with South Pacific shipping line and merchant company Burns Philp.
Mauri products were introduced to the UK market in 1982, with Burns Philps acquiring ownership the same year. Fleischman’s Yeast, which had been founded in Cincinnati, Ohio, in 1868, was also acquired by Burns Philp in 1986.
ABF then acquired Burns Philp’s yeast and ingredients business in 2004 to create AB Mauri, which came two years after the launch of Cereform following the merger of AB Ingredients, KFI, and Kerry SSP.
Other acquisitions of bakery ingredients firms by AB Mauri include Gb Plange in 2014, Fleming Howden in 2018, and Italmill in 2019.
AB Mauri’s posted turnover of £2.2bn in its most recent financial results for the year ended 16 September 2023, marking an 18% increase compared to the previous period, with adjusted operating profit leaping 35% to £214m.
Along with the 12% rise in turnover for the company’s grocery segment, Allied Bakeries – the manufacturer behind bread brands Kingsmill, Allinson’s and Sunblest – this helped lift owner ABF to double-digit sales growth for FY23.
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