A small bubblegum manufacturer has swallowed up a larger rival in a bid to branch out on a global scale. Dublin based Zed Gum has taken over Kilcock based Leaf Ireland from Dutch parent CSM for an undisclosed sum. The company, which plans to grow at 10%-15% year on year for the next five years, is projecting initial turnover of 20m euros. Leaf Ireland produces freezer snacks under the Mr Freeze brand as well as a variety of bubblegum products. The deal will give Zed Gum the additional capacity to allow it to realise its current expansion into the US bubble-gum market. {{NEWS }}