Total Produce has acquired Benfield Philips Ltd, a long-established and well-respected wholesale business in Southampton. The firm is a traditional trader in fruit, vegetables and salads and has a strong staff of approximately 12.
Denis Punter, chairman of Total Produce UK, said: “Benfield Philips is a well-respected business, and we are delighted to have the opportunity to work more closely with their team.”
Total Produce acquired the business on June 30, but no name-change is anticipated and it is continuing to trade as Benfield Philips. Punter explained the reason for the acquisition is a combination of two factors. “Benfield Philips was looking to the future and with the changing shape of the marketplace, thought it was in their best interest to become part of a larger company,” he said. “They have only about a dozen people, but we wanted to add their skill set. We now have two firms on Southampton Wholesale Fruit & Vegetable Market.”
The other fresh produce companies on the market are The Baggery, Helliwell Flowers, Mack and P&R Produce.
