The deal was completed in June. Barnack distributes branded bespoke packaged products nationally for a host of high street names, such as clothing chain Next, greetings card retailer Clintons, and women’s accessories brand Accessorize. It also supplies point-of-sale displays and has been in existence for more than 30 years.
Distributor and packager Delicious Ideas plans to dissolve the Barnack Confectionery name and the companies will operate under the name Delicious Ideas Food Group. It said the deal had led to overnight growth in staff numbers, necessitating the move to larger offices, with greater warehousing capabilities, not far from its previous site in Peterborough, Cambridgeshire.
‘Ambitious step’
“It's the most ambitious step we've taken since building our own in-house packaging factory 10 years ago,” said Delicious Ideas chief executive officer Jonathan Potter. “For a long time, we’ve desired a presence in the high street retail and convenience sectors to add to our core foodservice client base and the Barnack acquisition was the perfect fit. We now have a true end-to-end retail and foodservice brand and own-brand solution for our customers.
“Over the past 30 years, we’ve worked closely with Barnack Confectionery. My dad, Clive, and Peter Facer – who founded Barnack with his son Rob Facer, and managing director Trevor Sharpe – had been close friends for many years.
“Then, in 1986, dad became Peter’s first franchisee, running what was then the Tuck Shop Retail Services pilot scheme. Within a few years, however, we'd outgrown the franchise and, in 1991, we started Sweet Ideas Limited, which became the springboard for our national expansion.”
Multi-million pound business
The company has now grown into a multi-million pound business, supplying foodservice firms with own-label brands. Potter’s sister Emma Smith is technical director and his father has stayed on as chairman. Sharpe is UK channel controller for retail and his son, Matt, is an assistant buyer for the firm.
The company aims to launch a vegan bakery range and vegan sweet range next month. Existing brands include Healthyideas nuts, dried fruit and seed mixes; Deliciousideas bakery, traybakes and popcorn; Snackideas yoghurt and chocolate treats; and Sweetideas confectionery and retro treats.
Barnack Confectionery is owned by Barnack Estates UK, which has interests in the property, construction, development, storage, transport and franchising sectors and was set up in 1986.