Gressingham acquires Smithfield meat business

16-Jul-2018 - Last updated on 19-Jul-2018 at 09:12 GMT

Gressingham's Geoffrey and William Buchanan have acquired JF Edwards

Poultry processor Gressingham has acquired Smithfield-based butcher JF Edwards.

The business, which comprises four shops in Smithfield Market and one in Primrose Hill, was acquired for an undisclosed sum, through the newly-created Gressingham Smithfield Limited division. JF Edwards boasts a weekly throughput of over 250 tonnes and supplies beef, lamb, veal, mutton, rabbit, poultry, game and exotic meats, wagyu beef and smoked fish, as well as procurements.

Gressingham said “it has a long association with Smithfield market and this is a very natural fit to expand the group” as well as being “an exciting opportunity to grow the foodservice side of the business”.

Gressingham co-owner and joint managing director William Buchanan said: “We see this as an excellent opportunity to grow the Gressingham business and it provides the opportunity to diversify into new markets.”

Steve Barber has been appointed as managing director of JF Edwards and will be supported by John Reid, who is currently managing director of Reid’s of Norwich, which Gressingham purchased in 2016.

In January 2017, Gressingham opened a £5m distribution centre at its plant in Redgrave, near Diss in Norfolk.