Leeds potato crisping firm behind Walkers crisps expands with new acquisition

A Yorkshire produce company has announced that it has completed the acquisition of a potato firm.

Wolds Produce, based in Pocklington near York, has completed the acquisition of WM Quarrie (Potato Marketing), for an undisclosed sum.

Over the last three years, Wolds Produce has doubled the volume of its crisping operation, with its customers supplying around 80 per cent of all the crisps in the UK – including Walkers, Seabrook, the Tayto Group and Yorkshire Crisps.

The company acquired 26 per cent of WM Quarrie last year, with the full acquisition being negotiated by Leeds law firm Clarion.

Simon Tootell, managing director, commented: “Back in 2013, we were supplying around 10,000 tonnes of crisping potatoes, 15,000 tonnes of free-buy ware sales, and 3,000 tonnes of seed - with a very small team.

“At that time there was still a lot of spot-market sales, but that has shifted massively over recent years with changing weather patterns making buyers move more towards the certainty of contracts.

“We, therefore, looked at where we thought the industry was heading and took the decision to specialise in areas where we could see growth opportunities, namely focussing on expanding our seed and crisping markets.”

Graham Bennett, seed director, said: “Following the acquisition of WM Quarrie, as well as investment in some key appointments over the last two years, in 2021 we will be supplying over 40,000 tonnes of potatoes into the crisping industry and have a seed business supplying over 15,000 tonnes, making us one of the largest independent seed suppliers in the UK.

“It’s hard to imagine that many potatoes, but it’s the equivalent of a pile about 3m high spread over 12 football pitches! The addition of two such well-known and experienced seed professionals as Bill Quarrie and Stuart Fox will give another welcome boost to our specialist team.”