US gluten-free firm snaps up British bakery

Boulder Brands will establish a subsidiary company in the UK, Boulder Brands UK, and will look to introduce its Udi’s Gluten Free Foods brand later in the year.

The deal – for an undisclosed sum – will see the manufacture and distribution of more than 50 Udi’s products throughout the UK.

Steve Hughes, ceo and chairman at Boulder Brands, said the deal would provide a huge boost to the gluten-free sector.

Cult-like​

“The Udi’s brand leads the gluten-free category in the US by making the most delicious and innovative products without sacrificing taste or texture. With a cult-like fan base, Udi’s sales skyrocketed from £1.2M in 2009 to £6M in 2012.​

“The acquisition of Davies Bakery, with their heritage and baking expertise, is a step forward to bring the same high-quality standards to a growing number of gluten-free consumers in the UK.”​

Simon Hazlett, md of Boulder Brands UK, added: “Many of these Udi’s lines will represent innovative, first to market products, which will give the consumer a much wider offering across all categories of gluten-free.”​