Fast-growing Kitwave Wholesale Group is back on the acquisition trail having snapped up Birmingham-based chilled product wholesaler Central Supplies.
The deal, for an undisclosed fee, marks Kitwave’s first major acquisition since it bought on-trade alcohol wholesaler HB Clark in 2016.
Kitwave said the deal for Central Supplies, which has an annual turnover of £50m, will provide it with a wide chilled offering to sit alongside its existing frozen operations provided by Eden Farm Hulleys.
Central Supplies currently distributes goods across the UK from a new purpose-built 30,000 sq ft warehouse, delivering cheese, yoghurt and cold meats.
Ben Maxted, head of frozen and chilled operations at Kitwave, will join the board of Central Supplies alongside the existing board members David Packham and Sean Trow.
“We’re very pleased to complete the investment in Central Supplies,” said Maxted. “The business has a proud history of providing a quality delivered solution to its customers and this ethos is a key part of the Kitwave Group. Central Supplies will continue to run as an independent business, as do all of the Kitwave businesses, and we look forward to building the operations further with its loyal employees, customers and strong supplier relationships. Sitting alongside our nationwide frozen operations, the addition of this chilled product offering will create exciting opportunities.”
Central Supplies MD David Packham said: “This investment from Kitwave will provide a great platform for the next level of growth in the business. The senior management and staff at Central Supplies are really looking forward to working closely with the Kitwave team over the coming years to execute our plans.”
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