Italians gobble up Brit biscuit icon: Ferrero buys Jammie Dodgers-maker Burtons for undisclosed fee
- Burton’s employs about 2,000 people across six factories across the UK
- Ferrero says that it has ‘entered into a definitive agreement’ to acquire Burton’s
- Biscuit maker generated more than £275million in sales over the past 12 months
Italian chocolate company Ferrero is set to buy the Jammie Dodgers manufacturer Burton’s Biscuits for an undisclosed fee.
Burton’s, which also makes Wagon Wheels and Maryland Cookies, employs about 2,000 people across six factories in the UK.
Ferrero said on Tuesday that a subsidiary has ‘entered into a definitive agreement’ to acquire Burton’s from current owners, the Ontario Teachers’ Pension Plan Board, for an undisclosed sum.
The biscuit maker, which was purchased by the Canadian pension fund in 2013, generated more than £275 million in sales over the past 12 months.
Ferrero said it will take control of Burton’s production sites in Blackpool, Dorset, Edinburgh, Livingston, Llantarnam and the Isle of Arran.
Burton’s, which makes Jammie Dodgers, Wagon Wheels and Maryland Cookies, employs about 2,000 people across six factories in the UK
Ferrero said on Tuesday that a subsidiary has ‘entered into a definitive agreement’ to acquire Burton’s from current owners, the Ontario Teachers’ Pension Plan Board, for an undisclosed sum
Nick Field, chief executive officer at Burton’s, said: ‘We are delighted to be joining the Ferrero-related company, and look forward to bringing together the businesses’ complementary brand portfolios, high-quality capabilities, management talents and highly skilled workforces, which offer a compelling strategic rationale and an exciting future for Burton’s.’
It is the latest move in a raft of recent acquisitions, coming less than a year after it bought Fox’s Biscuits for £246 million from 2 Sisters Food Group.
In December 2020, Ferrero also acquired Essex cereal bar and muesli maker Eat Natural.
The Italian food group also owns chocolate business Thorntons, which now operates online and sells through grocery stores after shutting all 61 stores for good during the latest lockdown.