02 Oct 2007


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Finsbury acquires Anthony Alan Foods


Finsbury Food Group

Source : Finsbury Food Group plc
Finsbury Food Group plc has acquired Anthony Alan Foods, the sales and marketing company that has, under licence, the rights to distribute ambient cakes using the Weight Watchers brand in the UK and Ireland.

Finsbury is one of the UK’s leading manufacturers of premium and celebration cakes, low fat slices and speciality, organic and gluten free breads. This acquisition complements the Group’s focus on the premium, celebration and health sectors.

Anthony Alan Foods was founded in 2001 to develop a low fat cake brand in partnership with Weight Watchers, and now directly supplies into the majority of the UK and Ireland’s food retailers. Sales in the year ended March 2007 were £11.6 million.

The Weight Watchers brand is the largest in the low fat cake sector with a market share of 58% and is up 15% year-on-year.

Dave Brooks, Finsbury Food Group plc’s Chief Executive, said: “This addition to the Group makes us the market leader in low fat cakes to complement our number one position in the premium and celebration cakes sectors.

“Finsbury currently produces nearly 60% of the Anthony Alan Foods product range. This deal means we will be able to drive the growth of the business further and develop the product range.”

Melanie Stubbing, Weights Watchers (UK) Ltd Senior Vice president, said:

“We have enjoyed a fantastic relationship with Anthony Alan Foods, and the team has done a great job establishing Weight Watchers cakes as the best selling low fat cake range in the UK. We are now delighted to be working with one of the UK’s largest cake manufacturers to develop that category even further. Weight Watchers is the 14th largest food brand in the UK, and with Finsbury’s support, we can continue our aim to break into the Top 10.”

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