Sysco completes Kent Frozen Foods acquisition
The acquisition was approved by the Competition & Markets Authority last month.
Sysco’s wholesale division supplies food products to foodservice suppliers through multiple brands in the UK and some European countries. Its UK brands include Brakes, Woodward, Prime Meats, La Boulangerie, Pauleys, Freshfayre, Fresh Direct, M&J Seafood and Wild Harvest. The company’s global turnover in 2017 was US$55.4 billion, of which £2.3 billion was generated in the UK.
KFF’s headquarters are based in Kent, with distribution facilities in Aylesford, Kent and Witney, Oxfordshire.
Sysco’s senior vice-president of international foodservice operations Ajoy Karna said: “We are delighted to welcome KFF associates into the Sysco family of companies. This acquisition is a perfect addition to our portfolio of businesses in the UK.
“Kent Frozen Foods will continue to operate as an independent entity, but will enjoy the support of the world’s largest foodservice company, Sysco, with the opportunity to capitalise on closer working relationships with Sysco’s other UK and European businesses where appropriate.”
Chris Beckley, Kent Frozen Foods CEO, said: “We are thrilled to be joining the Sysco family. For our business, our colleagues and customers, having the added benefit of support from the world’s largest foodservice company presents an exciting and positive time ahead for all of us.”
Earlier this year, it was reported that UK sales of frozen food were on course to be worth £10bn, according to British Frozen Food Federation chief executive John Hyman, although he added that more work needed to be done to boost its presence in the foodservice sector.
