Burton’s Biscuit Co., the firm behind brands including Maryland Cookies and Jammie Dodgers, has snapped up fellow UK biscuit maker Thomas Fudge’s.

In a statement issued today (6 February), Burton’s Biscuit Co. described Dorset-based Thomas Fudge’s as a “premium sweet and savoury biscuit manufacturer” and said the premium segment of the UK biscuit category is “one of the fastest-growing, as growing numbers of consumers are seeking indulgence delivered by provenance, high-quality ingredients and engaging textures”.

Burton’s Biscuit Co., owned by Canada-based fund Ontario Teachers’ Pension Plan, has acquired Thomas Fudge’s from UK private-equity firm Livingbridge, which first invested in the business in 2016. Financial details were not disclosed.

Nick Field, Burton’s Biscuit Co.’s CEO, said: “Thomas Fudge’s is a great business with a fantastic portfolio of premium products and baking expertise handed down through generations. The bakery provides a hugely complementary production capability to Burton’s own bakeries, extending into the more premium and artisanal end of the category with their branded, retailer brand and Marmite products baked under licence.”

Livingbridge took part in a management buy-out of Thomas Fudge’s in 2016. The executives who also invested in the biscuit maker left the business a year later, selling their shares to Livingbridge.

How well do you really know your competitors?

Access the most comprehensive Company Profiles on the market, powered by GlobalData. Save hours of research. Gain competitive edge.

Company Profile – free sample

Thank you!

Your download email will arrive shortly

Not ready to buy yet? Download a free sample

We are confident about the unique quality of our Company Profiles. However, we want you to make the most beneficial decision for your business, so we offer a free sample that you can download by submitting the below form

By GlobalData
Visit our Privacy Policy for more information about our services, how we may use, process and share your personal data, including information of your rights in respect of your personal data and how you can unsubscribe from future marketing communications. Our services are intended for corporate subscribers and you warrant that the email address submitted is your corporate email address.

According to GlobalData, the value of the UK sweet biscuits category was US$15.87bn in 2017, down 3.22% on a year earlier. It estimates the category would have been worth $16.92bn in 2018, 4.34% higher than 2017.

GlobalData researchers say the value of the UK savoury biscuits category was $729m, down 2.54% on 2016. They estimate the category will have grown 5.05% in 2018 to $765m.