Private equity has a huge amount invested in UK wholesale. If current retail trends are followed then venture capitalist involvement is likely to grow further.
The four big foodservice companies on our list are all backed by major private investment firms. Brakes is wholly owned by Clayton, Dubilier & Rice. Its main rival 3663 First For Foodservice is part of South Africa's Bidvest Group, while Woodward Foodservice, which took over DBC Foodservice this year, has undergone an MBO funded by Iceland's Baugur and Talden.
Both these companies are also heavily involved in Giant TopCo, the company that ultimately owns Booker.
Last year Spar wholesaler Appleby Westward was also in the hands of private equity but this is no longer the case following the completion of an MBO by its Irish owner BWG from Electra Partners, in October. Most grocery wholesalers are proud of their independent family heritage but as the market gets tougher, the lure of VC cash may be harder to resist.
The four big foodservice companies on our list are all backed by major private investment firms. Brakes is wholly owned by Clayton, Dubilier & Rice. Its main rival 3663 First For Foodservice is part of South Africa's Bidvest Group, while Woodward Foodservice, which took over DBC Foodservice this year, has undergone an MBO funded by Iceland's Baugur and Talden.
Both these companies are also heavily involved in Giant TopCo, the company that ultimately owns Booker.
Last year Spar wholesaler Appleby Westward was also in the hands of private equity but this is no longer the case following the completion of an MBO by its Irish owner BWG from Electra Partners, in October. Most grocery wholesalers are proud of their independent family heritage but as the market gets tougher, the lure of VC cash may be harder to resist.
No comments yet