Luxury food supplier is sold to former Aunt Bessie’s owner

Food firm Wellocks

A firm which supplies high quality produce to five star hotels, football clubs and Michelin star restaurants has been sold for an undisclosed amount.

Richard Wellock and Sons, which is based in Pendleside, East Lancashire, has been bought by the Willliam Jackson Food Group.

Birmingham-based corporate finance firm Orbis Partners has recently completed the deal for the sale of Wellocks for an undisclosed strategic price.

The transaction was originated and led by Gary Ecob and Steve Nock from Orbis Partners.

Set up in 1962, Wellocks supplies a range of high-quality fruit, vegetables, dairy, meat and dried store ingredients to a national customer base of Michelin star restaurants, premium casual dining chains, five star hotels and Premier League football clubs.

Wellocks employs around 470 people nationwide and operates from four strategically placed business units and makes over 6,000 nationwide deliveries a week via its own fleet of temperature-controlled vehicles.

The firm has experienced strong growth over the last five years with annual turnover in excess of £50m.

The company has become a partner of choice for Michelin star chefs across the UK as a result of its premium product range, pre-prep service, in-house development kitchen and speed of supply.

William Jackson, which is based in Hull, is a diversified food group with a £300m turnover supplying into both the retail and foodservice markets through brands including online organic grocery delivery business Abel & Cole, bakery Jacksons, The Food Doctor, and MyFresh.

The company recently announced it is selling the Aunt Bessie’s brand to American company Nomad Foods for £210m.

Wellocks shareholder and managing director, James Wellock said: “We’re really excited to be joining a family business which understands what Wellocks is all about and has family values very similar to our own. I am delighted to have found a buyer who values the philosophy of Wellocks and who will help to continue its strong growth.

“Orbis’ advice and guidance throughout the process has been invaluable and has helped to deliver an excellent result.”

Gary Ecob, partner, from Orbis said: “Wellocks is a market leader in its sector and I am delighted to have concluded a deal that recognises the company’s strategic value.

“With our knowledge of the sector, we were able to identify William Jackson as a strong strategic buyer given its diversified portfolio and acquisition strategy.”

Norman Soutar, chief of William Jackson said: “We are a sixth-generation family business and are delighted to be welcoming Wellocks, a business we have admired for many years, to the family.

“We’ve been looking to enter the fast-growing premium segment of the foodservice channel and believe Wellocks, which has itself enjoyed recent growth, has really exciting potential for the future with its great customers and really innovative suppliers.”

As part of the deal, James Wellock will continue to work within the business. Legal advice to Wellocks was provided by DLA Piper.

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