Bakery manufacturer Cooplands acquired by EG Group
The purchase included three bakeries that process ingredients and manufactures fresh food distributed through its supply chain and logistics network to about 180 stores and cafes – predominantly in the north-east of England and Yorkshire.
EG planned to diversify the Cooplands brand into the petrol forecourt and retail convenience store channel, alongside the bakery’s traditional store formats, through its ‘extensive’ UK network.
Vertical integration
Commenting on the acquisition, EG Group founders and co-chief executives Zuber and Mohsin Issa said: “Cooplands has a proven track record in the fresh bakery sector and vertical integration with EG Group will help to further drive our success in foodservice, where we continue to see strong growth opportunities in the UK and globally.
“The transaction will broaden the reach of Cooplands beyond the brand’s northern heartlands and bring its much-loved food to more existing and new customers through EG Group’s unparalleled network of roadside forecourts and retail convenience stores. We know that Cooplands’ impressive bakery platform and our food service expertise will be a winning combination.”
The Cooplands acquisition followed the purchase of fresh fast-food firm LEON in May, further bolstering its portfolio of third-party foodservice brands.
Future for the brand
Belinda Youngs, chief executive of Cooplands, added: “Cooplands is proud to be joining EG Group and bringing our long history of skills and expertise in the bakery industry in both manufacturing and retail to the company. We are looking forward to a great future for the Cooplands brand.”
Founded by Frederick and Alice Coopland in 1885, Cooplands employs more than 1,600 colleagues and reportedly is the UK’s second-largest bakery chain.
Meanwhile, frozen food manufacturer Nomad Foods, owner of brands such as Findus, Birds Eye and Iglo, has completed its acquisition of Fortenova Group's frozen food business.
Nomad Foods has announced the completion of its acquisition of Fortenova Group’s frozen food business for €615m (£528m), after clinching the agreement to do so in March this year. The news follows its acquisition of Findus Switzerland in November 2020.
