Leading UK specialty bakery manufacturer, Finsbury Food Group is to acquire Johnstone's Just Desserts out of administration, securing the future of 150 jobs at the East Kilbride-based bakery.
Johnstone's, a supplier to the leading national coffee shop chains, produces cake, including its renowned caramel shortcake. Unaudited turnover for 2014 was £9m.
This proposed acquisition signals the escalation of Finsbury's entry into the foodservice cake channel and in particular the high growth national coffee shop segment. This is in line with the Group's channel diversification strategy, indicated at the recent acquisition of Fletcher's in 2014.
Completion of the acquisition is conditional on the finalisation of property lease details which both the Group and FRP are working on to complete as soon as possible. Finsbury will provide staff in relation to manufacturing and finance, to serve the purpose of ensuring a smooth integration process until completion
Finsbury intends to work with the Johnstones management team at its existing site in East Kilbride to build on its strong customer relationships and market position and drive growth focusing on its high quality, well respected, coffee shop product ranges. All 150 employees will remain with the company.
John Duffy, Chief Executive, commented, 'Johnstone's Just Desserts will be a bolt on acquisition and is in line with our strategy to diversify into new channels. This, illustrates the Group's continued reach into the foodservice 'out of home eating' market and the broadening of our product offering and customer base.
'The strength of Johnstones' customer relationships are testament to the quality of its products and we look forward to welcoming the Company into the Finsbury Group and providing the resources and investment to develop its full potential over the coming years.'