US-owned multinational swoops for Carlisle manufacturer Calder Foods

Chilled food manufacturer Calder Foods has been acquired by US-owned multinational Flagship Food Group.

The deal came after Nigel Harrison and Paul Baker, who founded Carlisle-based Calder in 2002, instructed business sales and acquisitions company Avondale to secure a buyer.

Following the acquisition, Paul and Nigel will remain in place as joint managing directors of Calder Foods while retaining shares in Flagship.

They said in a joint statement: “This is one of the toughest business and personal decisions we have ever had to make.

“Not only did Avondale bring the right acquirers to the table but they also coached us selecting the best offer and partner for the future of Calder. We are delighted to be joining the Flagship family.”

They continued: “The partnership provides a golden opportunity to develop the Calder Foods portfolio, taking advantage of Flagship’ Europe’s wider customer base in the foodservice sectors to promote sales.”

After receiving instruction to sell the £22m-turnover business, Avondale brought five prospective buyers to the table.

Paul and Nigel whittled the contenders down to two, one trade and the other private equity, and eventually chose food service firm Flagship Food Group.

Flagship CEO Russell Maddock said of the acquisition: “Calder Foods has an exceptional reputation within the foodservice sector and their products will provide the perfect complement to our own portfolio of ‘Food to Go’ products for this marketplace.

“We look forward to a smooth transition and to further developing both the business and the ‘Love Fresh’ brand under the Flagship Europe umbrella.”