UK-based Serious Sweet Confectionery Group (SSC), has announced the acquisition of the private-label and wholesale arms of local confectioner John Bull.
Financial details for the deal, announced by SSC holding company Zubrance, were not disclosed by either party.
John Bull, based in Yorkshire in northern England, confirmed that all of the employees will remain on at the newly named The Real Candy Co.
It. will manufacture sugar confectionery which will be sold through SSC’s UK sales channels.
The deal sees another local confectioner join SSC’s growing portfolio. It most recently bought Mallow & Marsh, a supplier of marshmallow-based snacks.
SSC said its acquired brands now have a retail sales value of £10m ($12.36m).
The group suggested that its latest deal will help it grow its manufacturing capacity and “develop a more sustainable manufacturing footprint” in the future.
Rob Whitehead, a director of SSC, said: “Completing this acquisition changes the game for Serious Sweets, significantly enhancing the products and formats we can offer customers, and growing our capacity.
“We have a strong investment programme to build on the great work done by James and Jo-Anne and we’re very excited about what the future holds. Our management team has strengthened significantly including our broader innovation and marketing skills – key to keeping customers happy and meeting their every need.”
James Hodgson, owner of John Bull, said: “We’re very pleased to have passed on our wholesale/private label business to a team who will invest and develop the site here in Bridlington.
“We will now be focusing on our retail, leisure and John Bull-branded confectionery business. The opportunity for both companies to really focus and capitalise on future consumer demand looks strong.”
Last year, SSC acquired two other confectionery brands: Mighty Fine, a honeycomb products manufacturer, and Mr Stanley’s, an English-style sweets business.
Just Food has asked SSC for further information on the John Bull acquisition.
