Wholesale bakery The Bread Factory has bought St Albans-based manufacturer Bread Roll for an undisclosed sum.

The deal adds an extended retail arm to the business, with the 130-staff Bread Roll factory already supplying supermarkets such as Sainsbury’s, Aldi and Ocado with bread products, including ciabatta baguettes, assorted artisan small rolls and Sainsbury’s Taste the Difference focaccia.

Management of the companies will remain distinct however, with business largely carrying on as normal for Bread Roll, including Stephen Ville staying on as managing director.

The Bread Factory currently supplies Michelin-starred restaurants and other chains, as well as around 70 London Waitrose stores, with breads, cakes and pastries. Managing director Dean Arbel said the acquisition of Bread Roll would not change the company’s focus on high-end products.

He said Bread Roll was trying to increase the quality of its products and The Bread Factory, because of its experience in producing premium goods, was the right company to help it achieve this.

However, he said there were no immediate plans to push for an expansion of the company.