Re:fresh award winning foodservice supplier Fresh Direct has taken over Redbridge Caterfresh.
The move makes the enlarged business the biggest fresh produce supplier to the foodservice sector.
As part of the deal, Fresh Direct will take over the operational activities of both businesses while a joint world-wide procurement venture between the two will be managed by Redbridge.
At the same time, both businesses will work together to provide new product development for the foodservice sector.
The move means that Fresh Direct will now have major depots in Bicester, Manchester and London. All Caterfresh’s senior management and employees will move to Fresh Direct.
A statement said: “The two operations have similar customer, product, and operational profiles and this move will bring significant benefits to customers whilst requiring very few changes to achieve the integration.
“The combined sourcing and procurement operation will enable the enlarged business to buy larger volumes than before, and go further afield for the best products. This will ensure greater consistency at competitive prices, and will provide a huge range ready to deliver to caterers and to central distribution operations every day.”
Redbridge’s other foodservice operations are said to be unaffected by the change.
