Boulder Brands, a leading US gluten-free brand, has acquired Davies Bakery from Cheshire-based Roberts Bakery, for an undisclosed sum.
The American brand plans to use Davies Bakery (previously P&A Davies) as the vehicle to launch its Udi’s range in the UK, later this year. The sale includes Roberts Bakery’s Yes You Can gluten-free bread brand.
Boulder Brands is to establish a subsidiary company in the UK - Boulder Brands UK - and has set its sights on launching a range of up to 50 Udi’s lines in the gluten-free and dairy-free markets.
Since the launch of the Udi’s brand in the US, sales have rocketed from £1.2m in 2009 to £61m in 2012.
Roberts said it was approached by Boulder, which was seeking an entry point into the UK market. Simon Haslett, previously managing director of Davies Bakery, will stay on as managing director of the Boulder Brands UK subsidiary.
Haslett said: "Davies Bakery has an excellent reputation for producing quality gluten-free products in the UK. We are delighted with the acquisition and are looking forward to bringing an extensive, exciting range of Udi’s products to the UK market.
"Many of these lines will represent innovative, first-to-market products, which will give the consumer a much wider offering across all categories of gluten-free."
Mike Braddock, managing director of Roberts Bakery, said: "Boulder Brands have the experience in this sector to further develop the Yes You Can brand and the facilities at P&A Davies.
"In addition, funds from the sale will allow Roberts to invest further in our core bread brands and help towards our planned expansion of the Northwich site."
Roberts Bakery had purchased P&A Davies in October 2010 after it went into administration.
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