Kepak Group has acquired Preston-based food-to-go specialist Summit Foods for an undisclosed sum.
With annual revenues of £24m and a team of 200 employees, Summit Foods is an established player in the UK’s convenience sector. It produces a wide range of on-the-go options – such as sandwiches, wraps, subs, toasties, and paninis – for the retail and out-of-home markets. This includes Snax on the Go, which is Summit’s exclusive brand for Booker, as well as the East St Deli range of hot sandwiches, and the Snackster range of ‘fresher for longer’ items.
Summit Foods will continue to operate from its current base in Preston, with no immediate changes to its operations, branding, or customer offerings. The leadership team from Summit will remain in place for a six-month transition period to facilitate a smooth transition.
Irish food company Kepak, which specialises in meat and counts Rustlers among its brand portfolio, plans to leverage its existing distribution network and market expertise to support future growth for Summit Foods. This acquisition strengthens Kepak’s position in the UK’s growing food-to-go and micro-snacking market, which is valued at £6.8 billion.
It added that it remains focused on delivering business as usual for Summit’s customers and employees. In the immediate future, the two businesses will work to align operations and explore potential synergies, particularly in the areas of product development and distribution.
“This acquisition aligns with our growth strategy, developing our presence in the UK convenience and out-of-home food channels,” said Kepak Foods CEO Brian Farrell. “Summit’s portfolio of fresher for longer sandwiches, chilled and frozen meals & snacks complements our existing micro snacking offerings and allows us to deepen our presence across these markets.”
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