DG Fruit UK has acquired fellow UK firm Simply Fruit to expand its portfolio of produce, according to a report by Freshinfo.
ImporterDG bought 100 per cent of the shares in Simply Fruit on 17 December and all staff at the latter will move to DG’s offices in Surrey, southern England.
SimplyFruit was established five years ago by Darren Leadon and specialises in bringing in niche produce from a wide variety sources, including considerable volumes from China.
DG Fruit is part of the Dutch De Groot Fresh group supplying a wide range of customers nationwide.
DG Fruit managing director Chris Rowe will head up the business in partnership with Leadon.
The move will give Simply Fruit a stronger financial backing and a greater portfolio of product availability, according to Mr Rowe.
'Darren and I have been friends for many years and have discussed this for a long time, deciding the time is right to make the move,' Mr Rowe told Freshinfo.
'Simply gives DG new product lines, new customers and strengthens the team overall. Our philosophy will remain the same – we are only interested in mutually sustainable business – split between DG,the supplier and customer, this has and always will, work for us.'
Mr Leadonadded: 'It was the right thing at the right time for me, I can maintainand strengthen relations with all customers and suppliers and build forthe future. I look forward to being part of a bigger team in the UK. With the backing of the De Groot Fresh group in Holland the potential isenormous.'
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