Burton’s bid and competition concerns
A reported bid for Burton’s Biscuit Company, backed by US private equity house Clayton, Dubilier & Rice, would be scrutinised by the Competition Commission, one expert claimed in October.
Julian Wild, partner and head of law firm Rollit’s food and drink team, said given the prominent places of Fox’s Biscuits – which 2 Sisters acquired when it bought Northern Foods in 2011 – and Burton’s in the UK biscuit market, regulators would scrutinise the deal.
Although 2 Sisters was never confirmed as a bidder, Wild said the move would “make sense”.
Meanwhile, earlier this week Burton’s Biscuits was sold to Canadian pension fund Ontario Teachers’ Pension Plan for an undisclosed sum.