US food giant swoops for Yorkshire soup maker
A US-based company behind food brands such as Ella’s Kitchen, Linda McCartney and Sun-Pat is to acquire a premium soup maker headquartered in Yorkshire.
Nasdaq-listed The Hain Celestial Group has agreed to buy Yorkshire Provender, founded in 2007 and based in Northallerton.
The company produces premium branded soup and its products are sold in leading retailers, on-the-go food outlets and food service providers across the UK.
In 2016 Yorkshire Provender had approximately £6m in net sales.
“We welcome Belinda and Terry Williams, co-founders of Yorkshire Provender, to the Hain Celestial family and look forward to working with the Yorkshire Provender team in leading the next chapter of the brand’s development,” said Irwin D. Simon, founder, president and chief executive of Hain Celestial.
“Yorkshire Provender has a premium brand positioning that complements our New Covent Garden Soup Co.and Cully & Sully brands in the United Kingdom.”
“We are excited to work together with the Yorkshire Provender team and leverage our combined infrastructures to drive future growth,” said James Skidmore, chief executive of the Hain Daniels Group.
“This transaction expands the depth of our soup offering with Yorkshire Provender’s gluten-free, delicious premium recipes and flavors.”
Yorkshire Provender will continue to operate from its Yorkshire location.
“This is a significant milestone for Yorkshire Provender and we look forward to working with the Hain Daniels team to continue our growth in new and existing customers,” said Belinda Williams.
A team from Squire Patton Boggs advised on the acquisition. It was led by Leeds corporate partner Richard Hunt, assisted by Carly Gulliver and Peter Morley
