Total Produce has acquired a 50 per cent stake in the Canadian fresh produce firm Gambles Group as its fourth investment in North America.
Toronto-headquartered Gambles, which was founded by Tom Hughes and Wayne Giles in 1989 and now employs 280 staff, recorded sales of CAD$170m (€119m) in 2014.
The company supplies local and imported produce delivered daily throughout Ontario to the retail, wholesale and foodservices sectors.
It operates out of the Ontario Food Terminal and a 65,000 sq ft distribution facility in Toronto.
President Jeff Hughes, along with Rob Giles, Rick Ashford and Richard Rose as vice presidents, will remain as shareholders of the business and will continue to be key members of the executive management team.
Carl McCann, chairman of Total Produce, said: “This transaction further broadens our North American operations. We look forward to working with the excellent people in Gambles over the coming years.'
Hughes said: 'We are very happy to partner with the Total Produce Group. Bringing Total Produce into our business will further strengthen what we have developed over many years. We believe it is a combination that will benefit all stakeholders, including our growers, suppliers, staff and, of course, our customers.'
