The Gressingham Group has acquired frozen food supplier Central Foods for an undisclosed sum.
Central Foods was established in 1996 as a consolidator for the frozen wholesale market servicing the hospitality sector. The company supplies market leaders Bidfood and Brakes, the large wholesale buying groups such as Caterforce and Country Range and smaller independent wholesalers, whilst also servicing large end-user multinational companies such as Greene King, Whitbread and Booker direct.
With annual sales of over £50 million and a range including meat, poultry, vegetarian and vegan, buffet, bakery and dessert lines, Central Foods is an established supplier of both brand and own-brand frozen products to the UK hospitality industry.
Gordon Lauder and Alison Lauder will remain directors of the business. Gordon will hand his managing director responsibilities to Oli Sampson, who will move from commercial manager to managing director to ensure the business operates as usual.
William Buchanan, director at the Gressingham Group, stated: “We are excited to bring Central Foods into the Gressingham Group. The business opens up a new market category for us and its reputation for excellent products and service complements our existing presence in the foodservice sector. We look forward to continuing to make frozen food wholesalers’ lives easier.”
