R&R Ice Cream to Acquire Fredericks Dairies
R&R Ice Cream, Europe’s largest own label ice cream manufacturer, has agreed to acquire UK ice cream manufacturer Fredericks Dairies. R&R is paying £49 million for the business which achieved sales of £45 million in the year to August 31st 2012. The deal is conditional upon clearance from the Office of Fair Trading.
Fredericks Dairies, which has a factory at Skelmersdale in Lancashire, has the licence to manufacture popular ice cream and iced refreshment brands such as Cadbury, DelMonte, Vimto, Britvic and Barratt’s. Fredericks was the sole supplier of ice cream to the 2012 Olympic and Paralympics Games.
The vendors – Frank and Philip Frederick – are keeping their Freezeserve cold storage and distribution business at Simonswood.
James Lambert, chief executive and executive chairman of R&R Ice Cream, says: “I am very excited about acquiring this successful business whose popular licensed products will prove valuable additions to our branded portfolio. It will also enable R&R to extend its successful partnership with Mondelez International into the UK. Fredericks is already launching a cone and 500ml super premium tub under the Oreo brand and this acquisition will allow us to accelerate this successful innovation programme alongside our popular Nestlé, Cadbury, Kelly’s and yoomoo brands.”
