Geest, the fresh prepared foods and produce company, has announced it is to buy the prepared leafy salads manufacturing facility of G’s Marketing Ltd (GML).

Privately-owned GML is the UK’s largest supplier of whole head lettuce and the fifth largest supplier of prepared leafy salads to the major UK supermarkets.

GML had a turnover of £18.6m for the year ending April 2004 and the value of the assets to be acquired is £2.2m.

Geest’s ceo, Gareth Voyle, said: “Today’s marketplace requires us to become more efficient and we have made significant strides in the last year to achieve this. This complementary acquisition will help us to improve further our manufacturing efficiency as well as increase our exposure to strong consumer demand for fresh, healthy and convenient food.”