Nichols Foods has returned to private ownership after brothers Gary and Ian Unsworth led a £12.7m management buy-out of the company from Nichols.
The deal includes Nichols Foods’ contract packing business Stockpack. Following the agreement, Ian Unsworth, who joins from outside the business, has become commercial director of Nichols Foods and Gary Unsworth becomes MD. He was previously group MD of Nichols. His wife Jackie has become HR manager.
Nichols Foods was originally founded by the Unsworth family in 1981 before being sold to Nichols in a previous MBO in 1986.
Gary Unsworth said Nichols Foods would maintain contracts with retailers and suppliers.
The company makes a range of hot and cold beverages for foodservice, vending and retail sectors.