Founded in 1926, Demos Ciclitira excels in sourcing and supplying high-quality dried ingredients, collaborating closely with dried fruit and ingredient packer George Harker and Co.
On the other hand, Gerald McDonald is a prominent supplier of juices, purees, essential oils, herbs, spices, and various other ingredients integral to the food and drink industry.
This acquisition strategically merges two well-established entities, resulting in a robust sourcing network that spans across six continents. Furthermore, their clientele comprises leading manufacturers, wholesalers, retailers, and independent food producers.
Demos Ciclitira operates from a state-of-the-art facility in Braintree, Essex, accredited to BRCGS ‘AA’ standard, ensuring rigorous product testing and safety protocols are consistently upheld. In contrast, Gerald McDonald operates from its site in Basildon.
Maxim McDonald, the managing director of Gerald McDonald, expressed his delight in concluding the deal.
“Both businesses share a proud heritage, a passion for food, and a dedication to customer service,” he noted.
“This acquisition enables us to expand our complete offering – from liquid concentrates to dried fruits, grains, and pulses – while maintaining the highest standards in quality, accreditation, and food safety testing. It also allows us to enhance our locally managed supply capabilities for our manufacturing and retail partners across the UK.”
Meanwhile, Demos Ciclitira’s managing director Rebecca King characterized this move as the beginning of an exciting new chapter for the business.
“We share aligned values – long-term relationships with growers, a focus on quality, and a strong regional presence – and together, we look forward to continuing to serve our customers with an even broader and more resilient range,” King stated.
David Ciclitira, chair of Demos Ciclitira, added: “I am delighted to hand over the running of Demos Ciclitira to another highly respected family-run business. Ironically, our two families operated their businesses on the same street in the City of London at the turn of the last century. I look forward to witnessing subsequent generations build upon the legacy established by my grandfather, father, uncle, and brother.”
