Cranswick has completed a £32m acquisition of Blakemans, a leading manufacturer of sausages for the foodservice industry.
Blakemans is a family business that has been manufacturing specialist raw and cooked sausage and meat products for over 70 years.
The business has a particularly strong foothold in the UK foodservice market and is recognised as a leading supplier of sausages to fish & chip shops.
Cranswick CEO Adam Couch said Blakemans was “highly complementary” to its existing added-value gourmet business, with Blakemans’ factory adding capacity in raw and cooked sausage production, as well as enabling more efficient supply into the foodservice market.
Blakeman makes its sausages at a dedicated facility in Staffordshire and employs approximately 290 people.
“We are excited to have the opportunity to become part of the Cranswick business,” said Philip Blakeman and Susan Cope, founding family members, and current CEO and finance director.
“The two businesses complement each other in so many ways and we also look forward to working with the management at Cranswick to continue producing quality products into the foodservice sector.”
Cranswick completed the deal last week, announcing it on Tuesday as it posted record annual revenues and profits in its preliminary annual results.
The meat processor also pledged to launch a review of its existing animal welfare policies following revelations last week of mistreatment of pigs at one of its farms.
Corporate finance house Oghma Partners advised Blakemans on the deal.
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