One of Staffordshire’s best-known food manufacturers has been acquired by a Yorkshire-based business in a £32 million deal.
Blakemans, a family-run business based on High Carr Business Park in Newcastle-under-Lyme which has been producing sausages and meat products for more than 70 years, has been acquired by Cranswick in a deal advised by corporate finance specialists Oghma Partners.
Founded in 1953, Blakemans – a key supplier to UK fish and chip shops and ready meal manufacturers – employs around 290 people at its purpose-built production facility and will continue to operate from its Staffordshire site under the Cranswick group.
The acquisition complements Cranswick’s existing gourmet operations by expanding capacity in raw and cooked sausage production and strengthening its presence in the foodservice sector.
Blakemans CEO Philip Blakeman, pictured above, and Finance Director Susan Cope, who are part of the founding family, said: “We are excited to have the opportunity to become part of the Cranswick business.
“The two businesses complement each other in so many ways and we also look forward to working with the management at Cranswick to continue producing quality products into the foodservice sector.”
Adam Couch, CEO of Cranswick, added: “We look forward to welcoming the entire Blakemans team to Cranswick and to working with them to develop the business further.”
The deal marks another high-profile transaction for Oghma Partners, which has advised on several recent UK and international food industry deals.
Oghma Partners’ Mark Lynch said: “We are thrilled to have found an ideal partner for the business in Cranswick who will be able to help build on its success.”
