Whitworths and Anatolia have announced the merging of both companies to form one of Europe’s largest dried fruit, nut and seeds businesses.
The merger provides the platform for long term growth, leveraging the capability of Whitworths, as the UK’s leading supplier of dried fruit, nuts and seeds, with the sourcing and packing capability of Anatolia on Turkish grown product. This provides the joint business with a unique position in the market to deliver supply chain integrity from producer to consumer on key areas of dried fruit.
The merger between Anatolia and Whitworths is the final step in a trading relationship dating back 38 years, which includes a successful working partnership over the last 27 years, with Anatolia today purchasing the entire share capital of Whitworths [for an undisclosed consideration]. Whitworths was advised on the transaction by Houlihan Lokey.
The new business will create the opportunity to invest in the growth of the Whitworths brand both in the UK and internationally, as well as investing in the appropriate packing facilities to meet the long term needs of our key retail customers and their Brands.
The current Whitworths management will continue to lead the UK business.
A statement from Whitworths read: “This is an exciting opportunity for Whitworths and one that will bring long term benefits to our consumers, customers and suppliers and we look forward to sharing the plans on the next stage of this journey.”
Source: Food Ingredients First
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The transaction, of which the financial terms were not disclosed, includes seven facilities in total: three dry corn milling facilities in Nebraska, Kansas and Illinois; three dry masa facilities in Texas, Indiana and Iowa; and a transload and packaging facility in Mexico. The dry corn milling division will continue to be headquartered in St Louis, Missouri.
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