In a statement issued yesterday (February 6), Kolak Snack Foods said it was pleased to announce that it had acquired the business assets and customer base of the two companies.
The move followed the decision of Billy Bhasin, major shareholder in the group, to retire and pursue other interests.
‘Important step’
“This acquisition makes another important step in the development of Kolak Snack Foods,” stated Ashok Lakhani, ceo of the firm, which makes predominantly own-label snacks, with a limited branded presence.
Most of the £61M in sales it clocked up in 2012 came from major UK retail customers, including top supermarkets.
“We continue to strengthen our position as a major quality snack manufacturer, with our customers at the heart of our business. The acquisition will help to grow our customer offer.”
Berkshire Foods has headquarters in Reading and a manufacturing base in Gosport, Hampshire. NC Snacks specialises in a range of ethnic snacks, including prawn crackers, vegetable crackers and spicy crisps.
The deal comes in the wake of the opening of a £9.6M extruded snacks and ready-to-eat popcorn factory at Kolak Snack Foods’ headquarters in Park Royal, London, last year.
Product innovation
The new facility features a centre of excellence designed to drive product innovation and involved the recruitment of 100 new employees, taking Kolak Snack Foods’ total staff numbers up to 750.
Speaking to FoodManufacture.co.uk in October last year, Sterling Crew, head of technical for Kolak Snack Foods, said the centre of excellence programme had enabled it to make advances in allergen management for retail customers.
Other developments have included the installation of high speed bagging lines, tripling output capacity.
Established in 1985, 90% of Kolak Snack Foods’ business is generated by high street own-label products. Its brands include Kolak, Diamond and Dylan’s hand-cooked crisps.