French giant acquires £74m turnover firm
A FRENCH proteins firm has snapped up The Kerfoot Group.
The family firm is headquartered in Northallerton, and specialises in packaging and distribution of oils.
The firm employs 113 people, with additional facilities in Goole, and in 2014 achieved turnover worth £74m.
French firm The Avril Group, along with subsidiary Saipol, is set on expanding its footprint in the UK, and reaching a new stage in the international development of vegetable oil production.
In 2014, the Avril Group achieved turnover worth €6.5 billion. As of 31 March 2015, it counted 7200 employees working in 22 different countries.
Founded in 1980, The Kerfoot Group specialises in the packaging and distribution of oils including edible and speciality oils and fats for the food service industry.
The current group chairman is its founder, David Kerfoot, while Jennifer Kerfoot is the chief executive.
David Kerfoot, chairman of The Kerfoot Group: “In recent years, we have made major changes that have favoured the Group’s growth and allowed it to occupy a unique place in the British market.
“These ties with Avril are wholly integral to the development of our activities and ambitions for the future.”
Jean-Philippe Puig, chief executive of Avril: “For the past 35 years, The Kerfoot Group has grown considerably while remaining faithful to the entrepreneurial spirit and customer service ethos that drove its creation.
“Together, we share the same values and the same vision for the oils and proteins sector. Avril is particularly proud of this new stage in its international development, which offers new growth prospects for our activities in the UK.”
