Fudge and toffee manufacturer gobbled up by listed firm

A fudge and toffee manufacturer which distributes its products through Worcestershire-based Orchard Valley Foods has been acquired by a listed company.

Harrogate-based Confection by Design, which supplies ice cream manufacturers, bakeries and confectioners and last reported pre-tax profits of £1.6m on revenues of £5.7m, has been bought by Orkla Food Ingredients – a wholly-owned subsidiary of NIC Enterprises which is based in the West Midlands.

Around two thirds of Confection by Design’s portfolio is distributed by Orkla’s UK subsidiary Orchard Valley Foods. Most of the company’s sales are in the UK (80%), but Confection by Design also has exports to other countries (20%).

Confection by Design is a privately-owned business established in 1988 and has 35 employees. Both the company’s headquarters and production facilities are located in Harrogate.

Tor Osmundsen, CEO of NIC Group, said: “The purchase of Confection by Design is strategically right and will complement Orkla Food Ingredients’ position as a supplier of inclusions and accessories to the bakery, chocolate and ice cream market.”

Orkla Food Ingredients holds a strong position as a supplier of bakery ingredients and ice cream ingredients and accessories in the Nordic region and selected countries in Europe.

In the UK, Orkla Food Ingredients has built up a solid position through its subsidiaries NIC UK, Orchard Valley Foods and County Confectionery.