Salad dressing firm is served up for sale

The founders of the Manchester-based manufacturer of a salad dressing served to the Queen have instructed Bury-headquartered Blacks Business Brokers to find a new owner for the company.

Bids are being invited for Adesso Deli, which featured on the Sky TV show “Cooks to Market” and whose luxurious range is stocked by a range of independent and multiple retailers and restaurants.

The business was established by friends Brian Goodhand and Rizwan Rashid in 2008. It produces 17 different dressings, balsamic creams and infused oils, all of which are manufactured from 100 per cent natural ingredients at the company’s base in Ancoats, Manchester.

Adesso Deli was the third venture embarked upon by Mr Goodhand and Mr Rashid, who first met some 20 years ago.

Their first business, whose name – H2O Limited – their company still bears, manufactured water features, and the second made chilled desserts and sandwich fillings and, later, frozen canapes and meals for the catering trade.

Adesso Deli’s products were originally created as marinades but, based on customer feedback, were quickly repositioned as dressings and dips. A decade on they are stocked in a range of independent retailers and farm shops, supplied to restaurants and sold via Adesso’s own website.

The company’s products have been served at a range of high-profile events and Adesso Deli’s flagship Seville Orange and Honey dressing once graced the Queen’s lunch at Wimbledon. The company also manufactures own-label dressings for the dominant Irish supermarket chain Dunne’s Stores.

The range is all handmade by Mr Rashid and Mr Goodhand and, as an ambient product, has a shelf life of more than a year although, in practice, products have usually been made to order to ensure maximum freshness.

The pair spend on average six hours a day, four days a week on the manufacturing process, producing up to 1,000 bottles per day.

Mr Goodhand now wishes to retire and concentrate on other commitments while Mr Rashid, who is aged 46, plans to retrain and pursue a professional career.

The pair have, however, committed to providing a handover period to ensure that any change of ownership proceeds seamlessly for the new owners, their customers and suppliers.
The business turns over approximately £100,000 per year, generating a gross profit of £55,000.

According to Mr Goodhand a number of opportunities exist for a new owner to increase revenues significantly, including by employing a dedicated sales/business development manager.

Investment in a sachet machine, or acquisition by a company that already has this equipment, would also open up a wide range of comercial opportunities.

Mr Goodhand said: “We think the product is pretty damn fantastic and we just want more people to be able to enjoy it, so we want to pass the baton to someone who can make that happen.”

Nikki Jones, listings manager at Blacks Business Brokers, said, “This is an incredible business with a fantastic product and reputation. It just needs someone now to take it on and realise its full commercial potential – maybe a family business that wants to focus on the food sector or an established corporate looking to bolt a really high-end set of products on to its range.”