Produce World Ltd has acquired Marshalls Holdings Ltd, a group of companies that includes Marshall Bros (Butterwick) Ltd and a 76 per cent holding in Agromark SA, in a deal agreed and completed last night.
The Marshall business has three sites at Butterwick, Kirton and Agromark in San Javier, Murcia, as well as a substantial growing business in UK and Spain, and its own distribution fleet.
The acquisition builds on Produce World’s organic and conventional product range, taking them into an extensive brassica portfolio. The enlarged £230-million business will now employ more than 1,200 staff, making it one of the foremost growers and suppliers of fresh produce in the UK, with arguably the most diverse portfolio.
William Burgess, chief executive of Produce World, said: “Produce World and Marshalls have extensive family farming histories in fresh produce and, in line with market trends, the consolidation of their joint strengths will secure future growth and sustained supply in this very competitive and forever changing marketplace.
“The enlarged group will offer customers a fully integrated supply chain management solution from seed to shelf with full category management support. The product range will cover most UK produced vegetables as well as a large range of worldwide imported fruit and vegetables.
“Dedicated growers in the UK and across Europe have played their part in the historic success of both businesses and this new relationship will secure this partnership further by creating more opportunities for sustainability by offering diversification and crop rotation.”
Burgess has appointed Nigel Clare as managing director of Marshalls with the support of David Marshall and Philip Effingham, operating Marshalls as a separate entity within the Produce World Group.
“Produce World believes that core to its success is its people and will continue to invest heavily in training and development and in personal development plans,” said Burgess. “The enlarged group will enable further career progression for all its employees going forward. One of the group’s core philosophies is that employees should have an exciting, fun and challenging career.”
