Northern Ireland’s Around Noon In New Acquisition To Grow Sales
Around Noon in Newry, the leading food-to-go manufacturer, has acquired a counterpart as part of plans to diversify its product offering and grow sales in the UK and Ireland.
Based in Newry, county Down, Around Noon, Food NI member, has acquired Simply Fit Food, which supplies a range of convenience meals made from natural ingredients online, as well as through multiple and convenience retailers.
Simply Fit Food, located in Drogheda in the Republic of Ireland, will continue to trade under its existing brand within the Around Noon group. Evelyn Garland and Luke Judge, the founders of Simply Fit Food, will remain shareholders and continue to operate and manage the business.
As part of the deal, Around Noon plans to invest in a refresh of its brand and product range, including an investment in new environmentally friendly packaging. Its plans also include doubling Simply Fit Food’s annual sales in just 12 months.
Gareth Chambers, chief executive of Around Noon, said: “This acquisition will provide us with a foothold in a new and fast-growing segment of the market. Sales of health-related foods grew to over £773 million in the UK last year and 64 per cent of UK consumers say they have purchased health foods. This is only likely to grow further.
“There is a fantastic synergy between the two companies and the opportunity to cross-sell between our respective client-bases.
“Luke and Evelyn have created a strong brand and their business shares a very similar ethos to Around Noon as a company that is passionate about healthy food and about serving its customers.
“We very much look forward to working with Luke and Evelyn and to growing the business strongly together.”
The deal is the latest in a series of acquisitions made by Around Noon, including the purchase of London-based Chef-in-a-Box from Donegal Investment Group in 2017.
