Alpine looks to reach further heights with backing

A FOOD wholesale business that began with two delicatessen shops expects to recruit further staff and hit annual turnover of £6m this year after securing investment from East Yorkshire-based backers MWS Group and JSJ Partnership.

Alpine Fine Foods boasts a 15,000 sq feet warehouse base, with an additional 10,000 sq ft of yard space, at Hull’s Sutton Fields Industrial Estate.

The business was launched 10 years ago by Peter McAlpin, who ran two deli shops, and Darren Peacock, who was Mr McAlpin’s main supplier.

It now has a fleet of 18 vans covering an area of 70 miles and supplies delis and other shops as well as cafe bars, restaurants, hotels, the education and healthcare sectors, golf courses and staff canteens.

The company employs 49 staff but is expected to grow further following the deal.

Commenting on the deal, Mr Peacock said: “We saw the opportunity to set up Alpine because there was a lack of decent quality, local food wholesalers.

“Most of Peter’s suppliers came from out of town and delivered once or twice a week, and as a result he struggled with certain products.

“We took the view that if Peter could buy products in and I could sell them we could fill the gap between us.”

Mr McAlpin added: “We aim to be competitive on price and we can source all the main brands but we also offer bespoke products, working with our specialist suppliers to come up with new and innovative ideas.”

The backing from MWS Group and JSJ Partnership will give Alpine access to financial investment and management support, but the two directors will retain the freedom to continue their development of the business.

Neil Robertson, of MWS Group, said: “We became aware that Alpine Fine Foods was looking for investment and when we looked at the opportunity we liked the client base and we loved the enthusiasm of the directors.

“Alpine will also benefit from the synergies of being part of such a varied business as MWS Group and JSJ Partnership, in which all our business work together.”

MWS Group was launched as MWS Business Management (Chartered Accountants) in 2001 under managing director Melvyn Sadofsky, a well known Hull-based businessman.

It now owns more than 20 individual companies and employs more than 300 people in activities ranging from corporate finance and compact gardens to centralised procurement and online tool sales.

JSJ Partnership, based at Melton, strengthens its relationship with MWS Group as a joint investor in a number of companies.