Jacksons of Yorkshire has acquired premium sweet treat specialist Lottie Shaw’s for an undisclosed sum.
The deal, which was made through investment from Jacksons’ owners the William Jackson Food Group (WJFG), brings together two family-run bakery businesses in Yorkshire.
Based out of a craft bakery in Brighouse, Lottie Shaw uses family recipes handed down over three generations to produce a range that includes its signature Yorkshire Parkin, which are sold online and via wholesalers.
Under the deal, Lottie Shaw’s will continue to trade in its name, with the firm operating as a stand-alone business to Jacksons. Founders Ian and Charlotte Shaw will retain roles at the company along with around 30 existing staff members.
“We have invested significantly in the business over the years, and we’ve enjoyed watching it grow. We knew the business needed a bigger engine behind it to help it develop further, and it’s while we were considering this, that we were approached by Jacksons,” said Charlotte Shaw.
While stating “we wouldn’t have sold our business to just anyone”, she noted that Jacksons felt like the perfect fit. “We needed to find a home with a family which will care about our team and the products we make just as much as we do,” she added. “Their values are very similar to our own and they have a culture of looking after people well.”
Shaw also highlighted the “extensive range of seriously good treats” and the success stories over the years. Since first launching its website in 2019, the online sales have soared to currently account for around 50% of Lottie Shaw’s business – this impressed judges at the 2023 Baking Industry Awards and saw it named as a finalist in the Online Bakery Business of the Year category.
WJFG, meanwhile, is a sixth-generation family business founded in Hull in 1851. It is currently home to food businesses Abel & Cole, Belazu, and Wellocks, having sold Yorkshire Pudding brand Auntie Bessie’s to Nomad Foods in 2018. Back in February, Jacksons secured nationwide listings in Morrisons for its new Tiger Bloomers, which featured colourful artwork from the Judith Kerr children’s book, The Tiger Who Came To Tea.
Commenting on the Lottie Shaw’s acquisition, Jacksons managing director Owen Elliott said: “Ian and Charlotte have built an incredible business which we’re excited to be welcoming into the group. Jacksons and Lottie Shaw’s have so many things in common besides baking – both businesses have the magic that comes from being family owned, our values and cultures are aligned, and I believe we complement each other perfectly.
“The new partnership will help us broaden Jacksons’ reach beyond sliced bread and provide Lottie Shaw’s with additional expertise and scale to help secure long-term future growth,” he added.
It appears to be a baking hot period for acquisitions in the sector at present. Samworth Brothers purchased The Real Wrap Co, Bridor bought sourdough specialist Pandriks, Bako Group snapped up ingredients firm James A. S. Finlay Ltd, and Murdoch Allan took on Teviotdale Bakery, all within the past few weeks.
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