Glendale Foods, a UK supplier of branded and private-label frozen foods, has been acquired by the Shallan Group investment firm. Paul Burkitt and Mark Jones, who initiated a shareholder buyout in 2016 to take full ownership of Glendale Foods from founders John, Gill, and Pam Mortimer, will remain with the business for the “foreseeable future” during a handover. “This is a great next chapter for Glendale Foods. We are delighted to have found investors who share the same values as ourselves and very much look forward to seeing the continued growth and success of the business,” Burkitt and Jones said in a statement.
Shafin Somji, a director at privately-owned London-based Shallan Group, has been appointed executive chairman of Glendale Foods. Financial terms were not disclosed. Somji stated, “We saw Glendale as an excellent investment opportunity being well-placed in its markets with strong products, a strong team, and an overall solid foundation on which to grow. We view Glendale as a strategic long-term purchase and, therefore, look forward to supporting the business with capital as well as our sector expertise.”
Glendale Foods, based in Salford in north-west England, is primarily a supplier of frozen snacks and processed meats to UK retailers but also serves foodservice, the airline and travel industry, and other food manufacturers. The company also has its own brands: The Great British Pudding Company, encompassing suet-cased traditional British pies and desserts; and the Yankee Brand of frozen microwave snacks, wraps, burgers, and ribs. Meat alternatives are also part of the portfolio, including soy-based burgers, mince, meatballs, and chicken.
Simon Whittaker, the new CEO of Glendale Foods, commented, “Glendale is a great company with great people and a strong base on which to establish the Shallan Group’s UK food manufacturing presence.” He added, “We see this as an ideal opportunity to invest further to leverage the core foundations already in place. With the current product development capability and available capacity, we are excited about the opportunities that lie ahead.”
Whittaker has been the chief commercial and development officer at Shallan Group since 2022, according to his LinkedIn page. The acquisition marks a strategic move for Glendale Foods, positioning the company for growth and expansion in the food and beverage industry. This acquisition aligns with food and drink business trends, focusing on enhancing product offerings and market presence to meet evolving consumer demands in the food and drink sector.
