Northern Irish ingredients manufacturer Finlay’s Foods, which was acquired by Bako Group in 2024, has rebranded marking an important milestone in the group’s expansion across Ireland.
Now trading as Bako, the business operates from a purpose-built manufacturing and distribution site in Craigavon, County Armagh, where it employs around 60 people and combines five manufacturing departments with a wholesale operation. From here it produces bakery ingredients, including vermicelli, sugar strands, jelly crystals, jams, and mincemeat, as well as distributes items from other suppliers.
Founded in 1976, Finlay’s Food supplies customers across Northern Ireland, the Republic of Ireland, the UK, Europe, and Asia.
Its acquisition by Bako was designed to help open up new markets in Northern Ireland and beyond which offered significant growth opportunities for both firms. It also allowed Bako to diversify its offering and add to its manufacturing capabilities, while allowing Finlay’s to benefit from enhanced group resources, a broader product range and strengthened supply capabilities.
The rebrand reflects closer integration with the Bako Group, the UK’s largest bakery wholesaler, which was founded over 60 years ago and supplies independent bakers and caterers through its depots in Preston, Durham, Wimbledon, Devon, and Lisburn.
“By integrating Finlay’s Foods’ product line with Bako’s wider range, we are able to diversify our offerings and enhance our competitive edge,” said Bernard McAuley, MD of Bako Lisburn, who joined the firm in autumn last year from Pilgrim’s to head up the Irish division.
“The move to Bako opens up new markets for us in Northern Ireland and beyond, creating significant growth opportunities,” McAuley added.
It comes shortly after the Group officially added Bako Western, based in Devon, to its stable late last year. While the two companies have shared a brand as part of an agreement made in the 1960s, they traded independently prior to the acquisition.
Not long before that, Bako was crowned the first-ever Supplier of the Year at the 2025 Baking Industry Awards where the firm’s longstanding commitment and influential role within the baking industry was commended by the judges. They also praised the supplier for its 99.5% fulfilment rate, and “deep understanding of the sector’s constantly evolving needs”.
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