Fresh produce wholesaler Bidfresh is to acquire fish and seafood suppliers Hodgson Fish and Sailbrand.
The wholesaler said the move is expected to strengthen operations, delivering greater scale and a broader product range, and will support its ambition to double in size over the next five years.
Bidfresh supplies chefs with fresh produce, fish, meat and dairy products daily from specialist businesses across the UK. It is a subsidiary of Bidcorp Group, an international broad-line foodservice group, which also owns national food, drink and catering services wholesaler Bidfood.
Hodgson Fish is a fourth-generation business with operations dating back to 1916 on the fish quay in Hartlepool, while Sailbrand, which was acquired by Hodgson Fish in 2018, began its operations in 1980, sourcing and delivering fresh seafood in the West Yorkshire region.
It now delivers fresh and frozen seafood, as well as fresh poultry, continental meats, cheeses and deli across the north of England.
Both companies will continue to operate independently under the leadership of Peter Hodgson as managing director, while Lee Roberts will continue to head Sailbrand as business director.
“We have long admired both businesses and are confident that, with our support, they will continue to flourish in their respective regions, serving their customers with outstanding quality fish and seafood,” said Bidfresh MD Andy Farnworth.
“We are committed to expanding our Bidfresh network into new territories, both through organic growth and the acquisition of like-minded regional fresh businesses that share our values and enhance our overall proposition. The addition of Hodgson Fish and Sailbrand is a perfect example of this strategy in action.”
Hodgson added: “We see Bidfresh as the ideal partner, thanks to their core values of quality and service, and their commitment to allowing individual businesses to retain their unique operations within the group.
“We are excited about the future and look forward to working closely with Andy and the wider Bidfresh team. It will be very much business as usual – the same management team will remain in place, continuing our hands-on approach and personal service ethos.”
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