Tangerine gobbles up more brands

TANGERINE Confectionery, the independent sweet and popcorn manufacturer, has added two more brands to its range.

It has bought historic travel sweets brand Smith Kendon and York Fruits from Lancaster-based Smith Kendon Ltd, to boost a growth strategy which has seen turnover treble to around £160m in the last five years.
 
Smith Kendon was established in 1780 and is well known for its distinctive tins and fruit flavours. The range is sold widely in the major supermarkets as well as by travel retailers and will complement Tangerine’s Taveners Travel Tin range which is primarily sold to export markets.
 
The acquisition of York Fruits – which until 2008 was part of Terry’s of York – consolidates Tangerine’s position as market leader in fruit flavoured jellies.

Based in Blackpool, Tangerine was sold to US buyout firm Blackstone for more that £100m last July. In October it kicked off its current wave of  acquisitions with the purchase of Wham and Highland Toffee out of administration.
 
Alison Brand, Tangerine’s marketing director, said: “To be starting the new year bringing these two great brands in to our portfolio is a real coup for the business, particularly in such quick succession of Wham and Highland Toffee.”