BBF has acquired Doncaster-based tarts and pies specialist Sargents Bakeries for an undisclosed sum.
Under the deal, which was funded through existing BBF facilities, the site in Doncaster will continue to trade as Sargents Bakeries Limited.
Sargents was established in 1896 in Australia with a UK sister company launched in 2007. The business has an annual revenue of around £24m and supplies fruit pies and tarts to retailers, including supermarkets, throughout the UK. Its product range includes cherry bakewells, apple pies, mince pies and jam tarts in both branded and own label formats.
“This is another strong acquisition for BBF, our people and our customers. Sargents’ product range and customer base are very complementary and the acquisition will enable us to offer customers even greater flexibility and innovation,” said BBF CEO Jonathan Lill.
“Sargents has had a very challenging time recently and we were keen to step in immediately to protect both continued supply to its valued customers and its loyal employees.”
BBF was acquired by private equity investor Endless in September 2015. In February 2018, BBF bought Greencore’s cakes and desserts division in Hull – a move which doubled turnover while increasing manufacturing capabilities. The combined business, including Sargents, now has a turnover approaching £200m and employs more than 1,700 people across six sites – five in the north of England and one in Poland. It continues to be led by Lill and supported by the BBF board of directors.
BBF manufactures ambient cakes and chilled desserts, supplying retailer own label, licensed and branded cakes. Its products include mince pies, celebration cakes, chocolate enrobed cakes, crumbles, cupcakes, fairy cakes, cheesecakes, sponge puddings, Christmas cakes, fruit pies, swiss rolls, sweet pies and tarts.
“Across both businesses, we remain committed to continuing to invest and deliver great quality, service and innovation to our customers,” Lill added.
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