Langmead Farms has significantly boosted its production capabilities with the acquisition of its neighbour Golden Plain Ltd.

The purchase gives Langmead access to an additional 500 acres of irrigated Class I land, as well as packing and cooling facilities.

Golden Plain grows Romaine, Little Gem, iceberg and celery on three farms in south and east Chichester, selling to supermarkets from May to October. According to the company’s website, it produces to LEAF standards and collects rain and floodwaters which are stored in purpose built reservoirs.

The company has been run by William and Mariella Fleming, with Mariella set to continue her involvement “for a period of time”.

Langmead’s chief executive Bill Thurston said: “The continuing consolidation of produce companies is inevitable given the relentless pressure both on costs and incomes. I am pleased that we have been able to obtain such a valuable resource and look forward to working with the Golden Plain team.”

He added that Langmead was attracted by the “quality of the operation and the availability to acquire 500 acres of land adjoining our operations in the Chichester Plain and to further expand our British product offering”.

The deal is the first major piece of business carried out by Thurston since he took up the post last month. He previously worked as md of Dutch meat giant Vion’s pork business unit in the UK, as well as running his own business. Before joining Vion, Thurston also worked as md of BakeMark International and Dawn Food Products UK and Europe.

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