Airedale creates £55m-turnover business after acquisition

THE Airedale Chemicals Group is looking to take a bite out of the food sector with its latest acquisition.

The ingredients business it has bought, Keighley-based Rigest, will “complement” its portfolio, as it creates a £55m turnover firm in 2016.

The West Yorkshire chemical manufacturer has bought Rigest, which supplies food acids, preservatives and flavourings, to form a new ingredients division of the Airedale group.

The group predicts that Rigest will grow by 100% in 2016 and development plans will diversify and expand the food and beverage industry.

Last year, Airedale completed a £3m site expansion,  increasing their square footage by 50%.

The company employs around 110 people, with the acquisition bringing 40 new staff into the business.

Richard Chadwick, group chairman of Airedale Chemical Holdings Group, said: “Our acquisition of Rigest provides us with even greater potential in the ever-expanding and increasingly competitive food and beverage industry.

“Rigest is a well-known and trusted ingredients distributor within the sector and that goes a long way in the food and drink industry.”

Martin Leighton, who will head up the division as managing director of Rigest, added: “This move will give even greater added value to the Airedale group’s existing and potential customer base.

“We will continue to distribute ingredients predominantly to leaders in food and drink manufacture which is a sector renowned for demanding proven and trusted suppliers and distributors.”