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

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.