Herb grower sells subsidiary
HUMBERVHB, the Yorkshire-based herb producer and supplier, has sold its Van Heyningen Brothers (VHB) subsidiary to Portugese business Vitacress.
VHB’s two nurseries in West Sussex supply more than 14m pots of fresh herbs per year and more than 23m packs of fresh cut and bunched herbs to UK retailers per year.
HumberVHB was formed in 2001 when Humber Growers, based in Brough, East Yorkshire, acquired VHB, which was at that time a leading tomato grower.
Ian Marwood, led a team from accountancy firm Grant Thornton in Leeds which advised HumberVHB on the deal. Law firm Gosschalks also advised the seller.
Vitacress is a subsidiary of Portugese company RAR Group, which has interests in packaging and contract manufacturing, food, property, services and tourism.
The two VHB nurseries employ around 320 people and had turnover of £26m last year.
RAR said the deal marked “the next phase in the development of Vitacress’ fresh herbs business”.
In a statement, the group said: “For many years, Vitacress has been growing some of the more popular herbs. In 2008, with the acquisition of Lighthorne Herbs, the company moved into the speciality fresh herbs sector.
“With the purchase of VHB, who have successfully developed the sector for potted fresh herbs, Vitacress can now offer customers a full range of fresh herbs.”
Vitacress is the leading supplier of baby leaf salads in the UK and Portugal, with an turnover of £88m and more than 900 staff.
HumberVHB’s Brough headquarters has the capacity to supply more than 7m cases of fresh produce each year.
