Tasty acquisition for Chicken Tonight maker
A YORKSHIRE food manufacturer behind major brands including Chicken Tonight and Ragu has acquired Consett-based The Tanfield Food Company.
Symington’s, which is based in Leeds, manufacturers convenience foods under names such as Ainsley Harriott, Ragu, Aunt Bessie’s, Jane Asher, Mugshot and The Food Doctor.
The acquisition, for an undisclosed sum, will see parts of the Tanfield business and assets become part of the Symington’s company.
John Kitson, finance director of the Symington’s, said: “Tanfield complements the Symington’s business and the acquisition will leave us well placed to continue our growth in the ambient convenience foods market and develop our brand range.”
Corporate lawyers at Walker Morris advised Symington’s.
Richard Naish, corporate partner who led the team, said: “Symington’s is a long-standing client of the firm and we are delighted to have advised them on this latest acquisition. We have advised on a number of key corporate deals for Symington’s in the past including its acquisition of Victoria Foods and its acquisition of the Ragu and Chicken Tonight brands from Unilever.”
The Walker Morris team comprised Richard Naish and Oliver Duke (both from corporate), Ben Roden (finance) and Shakeel Dad (employment).
