Puratos acquires Fruitapeel to strengthen position in UK bakery industry

International food group Puratos purchased the Merseyside-based fruit and confectionery filling company for an undisclosed amount to enhance its offering to existing customers.

Fruitapeel produces chilled, ambient, freeze-thaw-stable products in a wide variety of pack formats from its 50,000 sq foot manufacturing plant in Lancashire.

The acquisition will strengthen Puratos’ position in the UK bakery industry and enable the company to enhance its offering to existing and new customers.

Win-win scenario

Fruitapeel’s facility gives Puratos UK access to a strong manufacturing unit, offering flexibility and impressive speed-to-market credentials. The move also enables Puratos UK to develop its expertise in fruit sourcing and production of preservative-free fillings.

According to Julia Darvill, Puratos UK’s general manager, the move offers “a genuine win-win scenario for both businesses and their respective customer bases … offering a more comprehensive product and service range.

“We [also] welcome the employees of Fruitapeel to Puratos UK and look forward to working with them to further develop our collective capability,” she added.

Joining forces

Puratos, founded in Brussels, Belgium, in 1919, services the bakery, patisserie and chocolate sectors in over 100 countries around the world.

Fruitapeel was established in 2006 by Terry Haigh and Debbie Haigh and today employs more than 70 employees.