AMF, Tromp and Reading: The three-pronged bakery powerhouse?

Markel Bakery heads up a new three-pronged business that will force ahead with global infrastructure, technology synergies and take a strong market hold, according to its CEO.

The Markel Bakery Group acquired Netherlands-based Tromp Bakery in July this year and in September bought out US-based Reading Bakery Systems; both will now join AMF Bakery Systems.

BakeryandSnacks.com spoke to Ken Newsome, CEO of the Markel Bakery Group, about the strategy behind such hefty acquisitions over a short time-frame.

The acquisitions broaden customer reach and widen technology offerings, Newsome said.

“It will be our ability to provide these integrated solutions and blend these technologies in a way that could never happen as individual companies.”

“Because of our mass we’re going to be able to invest in an international infrastructure that will be unlike, really, what any of our competitors can do.”

“We can be a unique one-source stop for customers and do it with an infrastructure that is local.”

However, Newsome added that while the three firms will push ahead under the Markel Bakery Group umbrella, operations will remain separate to ensure individual strengths are maintained.