Tayto – owner of the Golden Wonder brand – said it was “really impressed” with Devon-based Portlebay, and the acquisition of Tavern Snacks would diversify the company. The deals were completed last week, Tayto confirmed. Financial details about the acquisitions remained confidential.
Portlebay manufactured 10 flavours of premium popcorn, and currently supplies retailers including Tesco, Sainsbury and Co-op. The acquisition was Tayto’s first purchase of a popcorn manufacturer, it said.
Tayto ceo Paul Allen said: “We are really impressed with the innovation and enthusiasm of the Portlebay team and they make a first-class, premium product.
‘Wider group capabilities’
“While they will continue to run the business independently from Tayto, we shall of course provide access to all the wider group capabilities and we are looking forward to seeing significant growth.”
Global savoury snack sales – including premium popcorn – were expected to top £103bn by 2020, as the ‘snackification’ trend continued to grow, claimed consumer insights firm Canadean.
Tavern Snacks produced six crisp flavours and five flavours of roasted nuts, said Tayto. It also manufactured a variety of bar snacks, including pork scratchings pickled eggs, mussels and cockles.
Its products were mainly sold in Greater London, and it was founded in the 1970s.
Production moved
Tavern Snacks’s production moved from southeast London, to Tayto’s Northern Ireland facility after the acquisition was completed.
“The purchase of Tavern [Snacks] has allowed us to diversify, both by adding another brand and also by introducing their range of nuts to our portfolio,” said Allen.
“We are now producing crisps in Tandragee which are being sold under the Tavern [Snacks] name all around London.”
The acquisitions add to Tayto’s portfolio of well-known brands, including My Porky, REAL crisps and Golden Wonder. Tayto produces more than 1M crisps and snacks at its headquarters in Tandragee site every working day, it claimed.
Tayto acquisitions – at a glance
- Acquired crisps and nuts firm Tavern Snacks
- Acquired 75% of premium popcorn maker Portlebay
- Acquisitions would “diversify” Tayto