Sweet manufacturer sucks up rival

BOLTON-based traditional sweet manufacturer Maxilin Crawford has acquired the assets of competitor Tilley’s Sweets for an undisclosed sum.

The deal has been completed with support from NatWest, RBS Invoice Finance, and the bank’s asset finance partner Lombard.  

This acquisition is in line with the company’s plans to expand its product lines.

Bolton-based Maxilin Crawford is the parent company of liquorice producer Maxilin and lollipop maker R Crawford (Northern) Ltd which is based in Glossop.

Since 1946 Maxilin has produced a range of Liquorice Flyers, all with unique flavoured crystal centres. The company also produces the popular Danish treat Super Flyer; exporting 1.3 million sticks each month. Super Flyer is distributed in Denmark by Nestle.

R Crawford (Northern) has been producing lollipops since 1925, including its perennial brand Posh Lollies, together with traditional boiled sweets. Crawford’s Vimto range of lollipops and sweets are produced under licence from Vimto Soft Drinks.

Founded in 1885, Tilley’s Sweets, based in in Northamptonshire, is one of the UK’s leading producers of boiled sweets. With the acquisition of Tilley’s Sweets, Maxilin Crawford plans to triple its production.

Joanne Williams, managing director of Maxilin Crawford, said: “Tilley’s Sweets is a fantastic addition to our company as it more than triples our production capabilities from 20 tonnes of sweets per week to 90 tonnes per week.

“The sale of Tilley’s came at just the right time. We were planning to expand our production capabilities and whilst at an industry show, we learned Tilley’s was available and it made absolute sense to purchase the business and its assets as Tilley’s fitted perfectly with our current ranges and will allow us to expand and grow our product lines..”

Crawford & Tilley, as it is now trading, has recently agreed an exclusive deal with Iceland to sell jars of sweets in its stores, and also has agreements with B&M and Poundland.

NatWest Senior relationship manager Steve Walsh worked with Dan Anderson, business development manager at RBS Invoice Finance, and Rohan Whittle, director, and Andrew Christmas, relationship manager, at Lombard to obtain appropriate financing for the deal.

Walsh said: “Maxilin Crawford has enjoyed strong and sustainable growth in recent years, and the acquisition of Tilley’s Sweets is a fantastic addition to the business. Joanne and the management team have a clear plan for further business growth and we wish them every success for the future.”