BPO, the private investment arm of 2 Sisters Food Group owner Ranjit Singh Boparan, completed the acquisition of Newport‑based Brace’s Bakery late on Friday (5 June).
One of the most recognisable bakery brands in Wales, Brace’s had been facing administration and closure until the agreement with BPO was secured.
Brace’s Bakery had been facing intense struggles in recent months, with an industry‑wide downturn forcing it to close its Blackwood factory.
At the end of last month, staff were only paid half their wages, a grim indicator of the firm’s plight.
BPO’s takeover will provide Brace’s beleaguered workforce with some comfort, with the two hundred and fifty jobs at its Newport factory now set to be preserved.
“Brace’s is an iconic brand with a rich heritage, and we are delighted to have been able to reach an agreement to step in and preserve this business, while helping to take it into a new era through investment, innovation and modernisation,” said Boparan.
“Brace’s Bakery has been at the heart of its communities for generations, and we are absolutely committed to supporting its long‑term success. Our focus is on providing the backing and stability the business needs to move forward and build a sustainable future while maintaining the identity and quality that customers trust.
“Alongside this, we see significant opportunities to invest in innovation across products, manufacturing, customer service and route to market, ensuring Brace’s remains relevant, competitive and well positioned for future growth while staying true to the values that have made the brand so successful.
“With continued support and collaboration, we are confident that together we can secure a sustainable future for Brace’s Bakery and create a genuine Welsh business success story for generations to come.”
Established in 1902, Brace’s Bakery is a fourth‑generation family business with a long‑standing reputation for supplying bread and bakery products to major supermarkets and retailers across the UK.
This latest acquisition for the poultry tycoon will complement BPO’s recent takeover of Cheshire‑based Roberts Bakery, which was also saved from administration in October last year.
BPO operates a wide portfolio spanning agriculture and property, food manufacturing and hospitality. Currently employing over twenty‑five thousand people, it has a turnover of more than £4 billion.
Mark Brace, MD of Brace’s Bakery, added: “This is an important step for Brace’s Bakery, and my brother and fellow director, Jonathan, and I are both delighted that Boparan Private Office has stepped in to give the brand the opportunity to build on almost one hundred and twenty‑five years of baking heritage as we move into a new era.
“Boparan Private Office understands the importance of the Brace’s brand, its people and the communities we serve. Their support provides a clear path forward for the business, allowing us to focus on strengthening Brace’s operations and continuing to deliver the quality products our customers expect.”
