Food group looks to sell world’s oldest Christmas pudding maker

Birmingham’s 2 Sisters Food Group is understood to be seeking a buyer for its Matthew Walker Christmas puddings-maker in a deal which could be worth around £80m.

Stamford Partners, an advisory firm which specialises in food and beverages transactions, has been appointed by 2 Sisters to handle the sale process, Sky News reported.

Matthew Walker, the world’s oldest Christmas pudding maker, was founded by a farmer’s son in 1899 and supplies retailers from Aldi to Harrods.

The business manufactures branded and own-label puddings at a factory in Derbyshire and employs around 120 people.

A sale would be the latest in a string of disposals by 2 Sisters, which has sold subsidiaries including Goodfellas Pizzas, to Nomad Foods, for £200m at the beginning of last year.

The group, which is pushing ahead with a turnaround strategy, also disposed of its red meat division, a sandwich-making operation and the Green Isle and Donegal Catch frozen foods business.

Last month, 2 Sisters said it believes it has “created the necessary impetus” in its turnaround for its changes to be having an effect on its financial performance.

The business endured a difficult period when high-profile investigations into its poultry plants put the spotlight on products it was supplying to major supermarkets.

TheBusinessDesk.com has contacted 2 Sisters for comment.