Tayto snaps up pork snack firm Midland

Northern Irish crispmaker Tayto has bought pork scratchings manufacturer Midland Snacks.

Midland brands such as MS Pork Scratching and MS Pork Crunch are sold in Tesco, through the wholesale channel and in pubs, shops and local businesses.

Tayto CEO Paul Allen said the acquisition of the company fitted into its strategy of acquiring “niche, strategic and profitable businesses”.

Last year, the company signed a deal with Lightbody, a joint venture part-owned by Finsbury Food Group, to sell its products in France. The deal helped Lightbody grow sales by 167%.

Allen said Tayto hoped to grow its EU exports in 2012 and had also begun looking further afield.