OFT could put freeze on Fredericks ice cream deal
THE Office of Fair Trading is looking into last month’s £49m acquisition of Fredericks Dairies by the pan-European group R&R Ice Cream.
Skelmersdale-based Fredericks makes ice creams and lollies for major food brands including Cadbury, Del Monte and Britvic, and was the sole supplier to the 2012 London Olympics. Last year sales were £45m.
The OFT is inviting comment on the deal, saying it is considering whether it has resulted in the creation of a relevant merger situation under the Enterprise Act 2002 and whether this has caused a lessening of competition in the ice cream industry.
With its UK headquarters in Northallerton, North Yorkshire, R&R Ice Cream is Europe’s largest own label ice cream manufacturer and is best known for its Fab and Skinny Cow brands.
The deadline for submissions is May 22.
