Premier Catering has been supplying breads to the family-owned Wrights for over 30 years, so, according to Peter Wright, chairman and CEO, it made sense to acquire the bakery to ensure continuity of supply.
He also told BakeryandSnacks his company’s £250,000 ($372,750) investment in new equipment will increase production capacity by tenfold.
Bolt on business
“[Premier Catering is] a great bolt on business to add to the diverse range of products in the company’s portfolio,” said Wright.
For more than three decades, Premier Catering has baked loaves, baguettes and baps daily to ship to Wrights’ 17 shops located around North Staffordshire and South Cheshire.
Now the bakery will move into a purpose-built unit that is attached to Wrights’ business base in Crewe, Cheshire.
The transition is expected to be completed by the end of this month.
Staff included
The eight-strong team from Premier Catering, under the leadership of owner Rolando Tuano, will also be making the move to the new unit.
Wrights Food Group was founded in 1926 and provides fresh, frozen and ambient baked and unbaked products for retailers, independent bakers and restaurants in the UK. It also exports its products to 26 countries, bringing in an annual turnover of £50m ($64m).
It’s £20m ($25m) Crewe bakery complex produces 5m savory products and 1m donuts a week, and 26m cookies annually.