US snacks giant Snyder’s-Lance has acquired UK popcorn manufacturer Cornpoppers for an undisclosed sum.
Snyders-Lance already owns UK popcorn business Metcalfe’s Skinny, of which it acquired full ownership last September.
The company has snapped up West Midlands-based Cornpoppers through another UK subsidiary Kettle Foods.
Established in 1979, Cornpoppers supplies branded and private-label popcorn products to retailers and wholesalers. Among its branded range are three cinema-style popcorns, as well as flavours such as jalapeño, chilli and lemon, and maple syrup.
Ashley Hicks, managing director of Kettle Foods, said: “The acquisition of Cornpoppers is the next exciting step in our transition to build Kettle Foods into a dynamic European snack foods business.
“We’re confident that this will create more opportunities with our trade partners in jointly evolving the full potential of the popcorn category and look forward to welcoming the team at Cornpoppers to Kettle Foods and working with them on making great-tasting popcorn.”
Cornpoppers’ previous owner, Balvinder Nijjar, said: “With the support and expertise of the Kettle Foods team, I am delighted about the opportunity for Cornpoppers to expand and bring our snacking talents together.”
IRI data for the year to 20 May 2017 showed UK popcorn sales grew by 11.5% to GBP131.3m (US$176.3m).
