Wholebake under new-old management

Cereal bar company Wholebake says that it is set to expand into new markets following a management buyout.

The Denbighshire-based firm was recently bought out by md Mark Gould and operations director Richard Shaw as part of a £750,00 deal, funded by Finance Wales.

Gould said: “Our markets are growing and we have exciting plans to capitalise on them profitably. This investment has not only helped us do the MBO, but has also provided us with the financial backing to grow the company by continuing to improve our efficiency and introducing some new products.”

Founder Steve Jones, the majority shareholder, is to retire after 25 years.

Established in 1984, Wholebake manufactures and distributes a range of own-brand seed and fruit bars to supermarkets, health food chains and other retail outlets.

Finance Wales investment executive Heather Abrahams who lead the deal said: “We’re seeing more and more succession deals from management teams like Wholebake’s who realise that retirement needn’t signal the end of their business and all their hard work.”