Tyrrells owner bought in £1.2bn deal

Amplify, the American company which bought crisp maker Tyrrells last year, is about to be bought by chocolate giant Hershey.

The deal, reported to be worth $1.6bn (£1.2bn), will put Amplify’s brands including Skinny Pop popcorn alongside Hershey’s Kisses and Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups.

The $12 per share deal has been agreed and is expected to close in the first quarter of 2018.

Amplify bought Tyrrells in a £300m deal in August 2016, buying out Investcorp, which had owned the food company for three years.

Tyrrells was founded in 2002 by William Chase at Tyrrells Court Farm, Herefordshire.

It has also grown through international acquisitions – it bought Australian business Yarra Valley Snack Foods in August 2015 and German producer Aroma Snacks in May.

It has also diversified its product lines into other snacks, including popcorn, tortilla chips and vegetable crisps.

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