Delicious Ideas expands with acquisition of Barnack Confectionery
UK-based confectionery and snacks business Delicious Ideas Food Group has acquired Barnack Confectionery, after an extended three-year negotiation.
The company, which is based in Peterborough, explained the deal would bolster its operations in adding own-brand and gifting options to its off-the-shelf division, and substantially increase its market share within the retail sector.
As part of the deal, the companies will shortly operate solely under the brand of the Delicious Ideas Food Group. The move has led to significant growth in staff numbers and led to a relocation to larger offices near its former site, with greater warehousing capabilities.
Jonathan Potter, chief executive officer, said: “It’s the most ambitious step we’ve taken since building our own in-house packaging factory ten years ago. For a long time, we’ve desired a presence in the High Street Retail and Convenience sectors, to add to our core Food Service client base and the Barnack acquisition was the perfect fit. We now have a true end-to-end retail and food service brand and own-brand solution for our customers.
He adds: “Over the last 30 years, we’ve worked closely with Barnack Confectionery. My dad, Clive, and Peter Facer—who founded Barnack with his son Rob Facer, and managing director Trevor Sharpe—had been close friends for many years. Then, in 1986, dad became Peter’s first franchisee, running what was then the Tuck Shop Retail Services pilot scheme. Within a few years, however, we’d outgrown the franchise and, in1991, we started Sweet Ideas Limited, which became the springboard for our national expansion.”
As the company revealed, from its initial formation, Delicious Ideas has grown to become the multi-million pound operation. Jonathan Potter’s sister, Emma Smith (also a co-founder of Delicious Ideas), works as technical director, with his father Clive is staying on as chairman. In keeping with the familial theme, Trevor—now UK channel controller for retail—also has his son, Matt, working as assistant buyer for the firm.
Trevor Sharpe said: “After the acquisition I had plans to leave and pursue my passion for racing motorbikes. But when I experienced the buzz at the new offices, I decided to stay on. The retail side that I’m so familiar with dovetails perfectly with the packaging and off-the-shelf sides of the business. From retro sweets and vegan protein bars to healthy grab ‘n’ go options and compostable packaging, we have the products, the facilities, the factory, the warehousing capacity, the distribution networks, the trend insights, and the hard-won expertise to meet our customers’ exacting needs and drive further expansion. In short we’re ripe and ready to serve both the retail and catering aspects of the confectionery and ambient snacking sector in equal measure. What I now see is a business that’s become greater than the sum of its parts, and for me, that’s really exciting.”
Thanks for sharing this wonderful information with us.
It’s a great news for confectionery production and also for
delicious Idea food Group.